The Relationship between Parental Self-Efficacy and Spiritual Intelligence with Psychological Well-Being in Mothers of Children with Intellectual Disabilities: The Mediating Role of Alexithymia

Background and Objectives: The psychological well-being of mothers raising children with intellectual disabilities presents a critical area of inquiry, particularly concerning the interplay of their parental confidence and spiritual resources. This study aims to explore the relationships between parental self-efficacy and spiritual intelligence with psychological well-being in mothers of children with intellectual disabilities, while assessing the mediating role of alexithymia in these associations. Methods: This study utilized a descriptive correlational research design. The target population comprised all mothers of children with intellectual disabilities residing in Tehran during the ۲۰۲۴ calendar year. A convenience sample of ۲۶۹ mothers was recruited. Data were collected through the Psychological Well-being Scale, Parental Self-Agency Measure, Spiritual Intelligence Questionnaire, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Structural equation modeling was employed to evaluate the proposed model. Results: Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between alexithymia and psychological well-being (r=−۰.۴۵) and a positive correlation between spiritual intelligence and psychological well-being (r=۰.۳۶). Significant negative correlations were found between spiritual intelligence and alexithymia (r=−۰.۴۷) and between parental self-efficacy and alexithymia (r=−۰.۲۳). A significant positive relationship existed between parental self-efficacy and psychological well-being (r=۰.۱۸). Additionally, spiritual intelligence and parental self-efficacy significantly influenced psychological well-being through alexithymia mediation (P<۰.۰۰۱). The estimated structural equation model demonstrated an acceptable fit to the data (SRMR: ۰.۰۸, NFI: ۰.۷۹). Conclusion: This study identified alexithymia as a critical mediator between spiritual intelligence and parental self-efficacy, and psychological well-being, demonstrating significant direct and indirect relationships among these variables, independent of child gender. These findings emphasize the clinical relevance of targeting alexithymia and promoting spiritual intelligence and parental self-efficacy to improve psychological well-being within this population.

کلیدواژه ها:

Spiritual intelligence ، Parental ، Self-efficacy ، Psychological well-being ، Intellectual disabilities ، Alexithymia ، هوش معنوی ، والدین ، خودکارآمدی ، بهزیستی روانشناختی ، ناتوانی ذهنی ، ناگویی هیجانی