Explaining the Causal Relationships Between Anxiety Sensitivity and Ego Strength With Psychological Well-Being in Students: The Mediating Role of Emotional Memory
Keywords:
Anxiety sensitivity, ego resilience, psychological well-being, emotional memoryAbstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the causal relationships between anxiety sensitivity and ego strength with psychological well-being in university students, with the mediating role of emotional memory.
Methods and Materials: This correlational research utilized a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The statistical population included 350 university students residing in Tehran, selected through voluntary sampling. Standardized instruments were employed: Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale, Floyd’s Anxiety Sensitivity Scale, Emotional Memory Processing Scale, and the Ego Strength Scale. Data were analyzed using AMOS 24 with the maximum likelihood estimation method.
Findings: SEM results showed a significant negative direct effect of anxiety sensitivity on psychological well-being (β=-0.250, p=0.005), and a significant positive direct effect of ego strength (β=0.284, p=0.012). Emotional memory had a significant negative effect on psychological well-being (β=-0.369, p=0.001) and mediated the relationships of both predictor variables. Specifically, the indirect effect of anxiety sensitivity on well-being through emotional memory was significant (β=-0.125, p=0.001), as was that of ego strength (β=0.155, p=0.001). The final model accounted for 52% of the variance in psychological well-being (R²=0.52), indicating a good explanatory power after model modification.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of enhancing ego strength and managing emotional memory in promoting students’ psychological well-being, suggesting potential avenues for clinical interventions and mental health promotion in university contexts.
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