مجله علوم روانشناختی (Sep 2024)
Structural equation modeling of parents\' communication patterns with mental health in adolescents with the mediation of cognitive emotion regulation and mindfulness
Abstract
Background: In line with reported research, parental communication patterns have been shown to significantly impact adolescents' mental health. Additionally, instability, emotional fluctuations, and low levels of mindfulness have been linked to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and emotional well-being in adolescents. However, within the prevailing cultural context of Iran, there is a lack of native and contextually relevant models for elucidating intra-familial relationships. Hence, there is a perceived need to establish a native model tailored to the Iranian context. Aims: The objective of the present study was to propose a model for parental communication patterns and adolescent mental health with the mediation of cognitive emotion regulation and mindfulness. Methods: The research employed a descriptive correlational design with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The population consisted of all adolescents aged 14 to 17 attending the second cycle of secondary education in the academic year 2021-2022. A sample of 314 individuals was selected using convenience sampling. Participants completed revised questionnaires assessing family communication patterns (Corner & Fitzgerald, 2004), mental health (Goldberg, 1979), cognitive emotion regulation (Garnefski & Kraaij, 2006), and mindfulness skills (Baer et al., 2004). Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling analyses were conducted using AMOS version 24 and SPSS version 26. Results: The results indicated significant positive relationships between parental communication patterns and mental health (p< 0.05), parental communication patterns and cognitive emotion regulation (p< 0.05), and parental communication patterns and mindfulness (p< 0.05). However, there were significant negative relationships between cognitive emotion regulation and mental health (p< 0.05), and mindfulness and mental health (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be inferred that appropriate relationships in society are shaped based on appropriate relationships within the family. The more appropriate the relationships within the family, the more stable and resilient the family and subsequently the society will be. Given the importance of cognitive emotion regulation and mindfulness in parental communication patterns and their influential role in adolescent mental health, educational programs and workshops aimed at promoting mental health should be developed for implementation in schools.
