Structural Equation Modeling of the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Adults` Fear of Intimacy with the Mediating Role of Integrative Self-Knowledge

Riazi, Seyyedeh Sara; Manoochehri , Mehdi

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Riazi S S, Manoochehri M. Structural Equation Modeling of the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Adults` Fear of Intimacy with the Mediating Role of Integrative Self-Knowledge. MEJDS 2024; 14 :12-12
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-3343-en.html

Structural Equation Modeling of the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Adults` Fear of Intimacy with the Mediating Role of Integrative Self-Knowledge

Seyyedeh Sara Riazi¹

, Mehdi Manoochehri ^*

1- MSc in Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: (450 Views)

Abstract
Background & Objectives: Intimacy is a fundamental psychological need for every human being, driving them to connect with others. However, many individuals struggle to fulfill this need due to various negative experiences. Problems related to emotional closeness and fear of intimacy are associated with a wide range of mental health issues as well as harmful physical impacts. Recognizing intimacy as a crucial need rooted in our early relationships with caregivers, along with the harmful consequences of its absence in human connections, highlights the importance of investigating the underlying causes and factors contributing to avoidance of intimacy. Therefore, it is essential to explore the mediating factors that influence this issue and mitigate its negative effects. The aim of the present study was to model structural equations of the relationship between childhood trauma and by adults` fear of intimacy examining the mediating role of integrative self–knowledge.
Methods: This study is a correlational and structural equation modeling study, and the statistical population of this study consisted of women and men aged 20 to 50 in Tehran. A total of 303 people were selected as a statistical sample using the available sampling method. The inclusion criteria included participants' satisfaction, age range between 20 and 50 years and the absence of a history of mental disorders. The exclusion criteria included failure to complete the questionnaire and suffering from mental disorders. Participants completed the Fear of Intimacy Scale (Descatner & Thelen, 1991), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein et al., 2003), and the Integrative Self–Knowledge Scale (Ghorbani et al., 2008). To analyze the research data at the descriptive level, frequency, percentage, standard deviation, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used. At the inferential level, structural equation modeling was used in SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. Fit indices were used to check the model's fit, and a mean–engineered test was performed using the bootstrap method. The significant level of the tests was considered equal to 0.05.
Results: The result showed that the proposed model was suitable with the collected data (RMSEA=0.079, CFI=0.951, GFI=0.947, χ²/df=2.864). The indirect effect of childhood trauma on fear of intimacy with the mediating role of integrative self–knowledge was significant (p<0.001, β=0.065). Additionally, the direct effect of childhood trauma on fear of intimacy (p=0.040, β=0.176) was statistically significant. Also, the direct effect of childhood trauma on integrative self–knowledge (p=0.020, β=– 0.207) was statistically significant. Also, the effect of integrative self–knowledge on the fear of intimacy (p=0.015, β=–0.314) was statistically significant.
Conclusion: According to the results, integrative self–knowledge partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and fear of intimacy. Therefore, the results of this study may be promising to enhance the capacity of individuals` self–knowledge in psychotherapy sessions so that effective steps can be taken to reduce and prevent the detrimental effects of fear of intimacy in the adult population.

Keywords: Fear of intimacy, Childhood trauma, Integrative self–knowledge, Adults mental health

Full-Text [PDF 830 kb] (257 Downloads)

Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Psychology

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