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Structural equation modeling of the relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and somatic symptoms with the mediation of mentalization and emotion regulation
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Seyed Abolghasem Mehrinejad *1    , Maryam Rahbarizadeh1 , Batool Ahadi1 , Zohreh Khosravi1 |
| 1- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran |
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Abstract: (10 Views) |
Background and Purpose: Somatic symptoms are common manifestations of mental health problems, and traumatic childhood experiences can play a role in their development through disruptions in emotion regulation processes and mentalization. The purpose of this study was to test a structural equation model of the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and somatic symptoms, with emotion regulation and mentalization as mediating variables.
Method: This research was a descriptive correlational study based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of adults aged 18 years and older with somatic symptoms who referred to medical centers in District 2 of Hamadan, Iran, between April and December 2024. A total of 295 individuals were selected as the sample using convenience and voluntary sampling methods, while adhering to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection instruments included the latest validated Persian version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) (Bernstein et al., 2003), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) (Gratz & Roemer, 2004), Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) (Fonagy & Luyten, 2012), and Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) (Toussaint et al., 2016). Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 and AMOS-24.
Results: The results showed that traumatic childhood experiences had a significant negative effect on mentalization (β= -0.65), mentalization had a significant negative effect on difficulties in emotion regulation (β= -0.72), and difficulties in emotion regulation had a significant positive effect on somatic symptoms (β= 0.24). In addition, traumatic childhood experiences had a direct effect on somatic symptoms (β= 0.34). Mentalization also showed a partial indirect effect through emotion regulation (β=0.24). The model also showed a good fit (GFI= 0.91, CFI= 0.96, RMSEA= 0.061).
Conclusion: Traumatic childhood experiences increase somatic symptoms directly and indirectly through impaired mentalization and difficulties in emotion regulation. Therefore, strengthening mentalization and emotion regulation skills may be beneficial in therapeutic interventions related to somatic symptoms. |
Article number: 6 |
| Keywords: Emotion regulation
mentalization
somatic symptoms
structural equation modeling
traumatic childhood experiences |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/10/7 | Accepted: 2026/05/26 | Published: 2026/05/30
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