Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Zohreh Karami ¹
• Ameneh Moazedian ¹
• Reza Ziyari ²
• Faezeh Jahan ³

¹ Department of Psychology, Se.C. Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran.

² Department of Accounting, Se.C. Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran

³ Department of Psychology, Se.C. Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the structural model of mental toughness based on emotional awareness with the mediating role of internalized shame in mothers of adolescents with autism. The present study was descriptive-correlational using structural equation modeling. The statistical population was mothers of adolescents with autism in Tehran city in winter year 2025. The sample size was selected based on Kline model and with convenience sampling of 360 mothers of adolescents with autism. Using the Gilliam autism rating scale-3 (GARS-3), mental toughness questionnaire (MTQ), emotional self-awareness questionnaire (ESAQ) and internalized shame scale (ISS) data was collected. Using SPSS version 29 and AMOS software data were analyzed. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and structural equations modeling. The results showed direct effect of emotional awareness (β=0.65 and sig=0.001) and internalized shame (β= - 0.51 and sig=0.001) on mental toughness are significant. The results also showed that internalized shame has a significant mediating role in the relationship between emotional awareness (β= -0.68 and sig=0.001) with mental toughness. Also, the final research model had a good fit (RMSEA=0.07, SRMR=0.04, p<0.05) and 72% of the variance of mental toughness is explained.

Keywords

• autism
• emotional awareness
• internalized shame
• mental toughness