Ethics code: IR.IAU.URMIA. REC1402.104
Abstract: (26 Views)
Background and Purpose: Addiction tendency represents a persistent psychological urge to use substances as a response to internal compulsion, which gradually deteriorates both physical and psychological functioning. Adolescence is a developmental stage characterized by emotional instability, identity formation, and heightened vulnerability to peer influence and risky behaviors. During this period, internal psychological structures play a crucial role in determining whether a young person adopts adaptive coping mechanisms or turns toward maladaptive ones, such as substance use. Given that the inclination toward addiction emerges from the interaction of biological, social, and intrapsychic factors, psychoanalytic constructs such as Kernberg’s personality organization and object relations provide a rich theoretical framework to understand these mechanisms.
According to Kernberg’s theory (1975, 1984), personality organization reflects the level of ego integration and the maturity of defense mechanisms—ranging from neurotic to borderline and psychotic structures. Lower levels of personality organization are characterized by primitive defenses (e.g., splitting, projection, denial), identity diffusion, and impaired reality testing. These features create internal instability and may predispose individuals to addictive behaviors as a means of regulating intolerable affect. Likewise, object relations theory, rooted in the psychoanalytic traditions of Fairbairn, Klein, and Winnicott, emphasizes that early emotional experiences with caregivers are internalized as mental representations of the self and others. When these representations are inconsistent, hostile, or ambivalent, the individual may struggle with emotional regulation and interpersonal relatedness, increasing susceptibility to addiction.
Despite the theoretical relevance of these constructs, empirical studies integrating Kernberg’s model of personality organization with object relations in predicting addiction tendency—particularly among adolescents—remain scarce in the Iranian context. Thus, the present research was designed to investigate the relationship between Kernberg’s personality organization, object relations, and addiction tendency among male high school students in Urmia, Iran.
Methods: The research employed a descriptive-correlational design and was fundamental in purpose. The statistical population included all male students enrolled in the second level of secondary schools in District 1 of Urmia City during the 2023–2024 academic year. A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was applied, and a total of 215 students were selected.
Data were gathered using standardized psychometric instruments: Kernberg’s Personality Organization Inventory (2002), assessing identity diffusion, primitive defenses, and reality testing; Bell’s Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (1995), which measures alienation, egocentricity, insecure attachment, and social incompetence; The Iranian Addiction Tendency Questionnaire developed by Zargar (2006), evaluating the psychological inclination toward substance use. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, applying both descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to determine relationships among variables, while multiple regression analysis was employed to assess the predictive power of personality organization and object relations on addiction tendency. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Findings: The results of the regression analysis indicated that, overall, the two predictor variables—object relations and Kernberg’s personality organization—were able to explain 31% of the variance in students’ addiction tendency. The results of the Pearson correlation test also showed a positive and significant relationship between object relations and addiction tendency (r=0.31,p<0.05)(r = 0.31, p < 0.05)(r=0.31,p<0.05). In addition, there was a positive and significant relationship between Kernberg’s personality organization and addiction tendency (r=0.28,p<0.05)(r = 0.28, p < 0.05)(r=0.28,p<0.05).
These findings support psychoanalytic perspectives asserting that internalized dysfunctional object relations—originating from unsatisfying or conflictual early attachments—contribute to the development of emotional dysregulation and impulsive behaviors. Adolescents who experience identity diffusion and weak reality testing may resort to substances as a maladaptive strategy to cope with internal conflicts and emotional distress. The interplay between these variables demonstrates how intrapsychic structures and relational patterns jointly shape vulnerability to addiction.
Conclusion: The present study highlights that dysfunctional personality organization and impaired object relations significantly increase adolescents’ vulnerability to addiction. Weak ego integration, primitive defenses, and unresolved internalized relational conflicts create psychological fragility, which may push individuals toward substance use as a compensatory mechanism for emotional instability and unmet attachment needs.
These results emphasize the necessity of incorporating psychoanalytic principles into preventive and therapeutic programs for adolescents. Early intervention strategies should focus on strengthening ego functions, enhancing emotional regulation, and fostering secure interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, educational and counseling settings can benefit from integrating concepts derived from Kernberg’s theory—such as identity consolidation and adaptive defense restructuring—to reduce the risk of addiction. By addressing underlying personality organization and object relational patterns, mental health professionals can design more comprehensive, developmentally informed approaches to addiction prevention.
According to Kernberg’s theory (1975, 1984), personality organization reflects the level of ego integration and the maturity of defense mechanisms—ranging from neurotic to borderline and psychotic structures. Lower levels of personality organization are characterized by primitive defenses (e.g., splitting, projection, denial), identity diffusion, and impaired reality testing. These features create internal instability and may predispose individuals to addictive behaviors as a means of regulating intolerable affect. Likewise, object relations theory, rooted in the psychoanalytic traditions of Fairbairn, Klein, and Winnicott, emphasizes that early emotional experiences with caregivers are internalized as mental representations of the self and others. When these representations are inconsistent, hostile, or ambivalent, the individual may struggle with emotional regulation and interpersonal relatedness, increasing susceptibility to addiction.
Despite the theoretical relevance of these constructs, empirical studies integrating Kernberg’s model of personality organization with object relations in predicting addiction tendency—particularly among adolescents—remain scarce in the Iranian context. Thus, the present research was designed to investigate the relationship between Kernberg’s personality organization, object relations, and addiction tendency among male high school students in Urmia, Iran.
Methods: The research employed a descriptive-correlational design and was fundamental in purpose. The statistical population included all male students enrolled in the second level of secondary schools in District 1 of Urmia City during the 2023–2024 academic year. A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was applied, and a total of 215 students were selected.
Data were gathered using standardized psychometric instruments: Kernberg’s Personality Organization Inventory (2002), assessing identity diffusion, primitive defenses, and reality testing; Bell’s Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (1995), which measures alienation, egocentricity, insecure attachment, and social incompetence; The Iranian Addiction Tendency Questionnaire developed by Zargar (2006), evaluating the psychological inclination toward substance use. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, applying both descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to determine relationships among variables, while multiple regression analysis was employed to assess the predictive power of personality organization and object relations on addiction tendency. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Findings: The results of the regression analysis indicated that, overall, the two predictor variables—object relations and Kernberg’s personality organization—were able to explain 31% of the variance in students’ addiction tendency. The results of the Pearson correlation test also showed a positive and significant relationship between object relations and addiction tendency (r=0.31,p<0.05)(r = 0.31, p < 0.05)(r=0.31,p<0.05). In addition, there was a positive and significant relationship between Kernberg’s personality organization and addiction tendency (r=0.28,p<0.05)(r = 0.28, p < 0.05)(r=0.28,p<0.05).
These findings support psychoanalytic perspectives asserting that internalized dysfunctional object relations—originating from unsatisfying or conflictual early attachments—contribute to the development of emotional dysregulation and impulsive behaviors. Adolescents who experience identity diffusion and weak reality testing may resort to substances as a maladaptive strategy to cope with internal conflicts and emotional distress. The interplay between these variables demonstrates how intrapsychic structures and relational patterns jointly shape vulnerability to addiction.
Conclusion: The present study highlights that dysfunctional personality organization and impaired object relations significantly increase adolescents’ vulnerability to addiction. Weak ego integration, primitive defenses, and unresolved internalized relational conflicts create psychological fragility, which may push individuals toward substance use as a compensatory mechanism for emotional instability and unmet attachment needs.
These results emphasize the necessity of incorporating psychoanalytic principles into preventive and therapeutic programs for adolescents. Early intervention strategies should focus on strengthening ego functions, enhancing emotional regulation, and fostering secure interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, educational and counseling settings can benefit from integrating concepts derived from Kernberg’s theory—such as identity consolidation and adaptive defense restructuring—to reduce the risk of addiction. By addressing underlying personality organization and object relational patterns, mental health professionals can design more comprehensive, developmentally informed approaches to addiction prevention.
Keywords: Kernberg's Personality Organization, Object Relations, Addiction Tendency, High School Student
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Psychology
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