Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Mentalization on Improving Emotion Regulation and Reducing Verbal Self-Punishment in High-Pressure Work Environments

This meta-analysis investigates the effectiveness of mentalization—the capacity to understand mental states in oneself and others—on enhancing emotion regulation and mitigating verbal self-punishment within high-pressure occupational settings. Following a systematic search of databases including Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Magiran for studies published between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۵, a total of ۱۲ studies (including both English and Persian sources) met the inclusion criteria. Statistical synthesis was performed using random-effects models. The results revealed a strong positive correlation between mentalization capacity and adaptive emotion regulation strategies (r = ۰.۴۶, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Conversely, mentalization was significantly and negatively associated with verbal self-punishment (r = -۰.۴۲, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Intervention-based studies demonstrated that mentalization-based training significantly improved reflective functioning and reduced maladaptive self-criticism in high-stress professionals such as healthcare workers and emergency responders. These findings underscore the critical role of mentalizing as a protective psychological mechanism in demanding work environments, suggesting that organizational interventions focusing on mentalization can foster emotional resilience and reduce toxic self-directed behaviors.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mentalization ، Emotion Regulation ، Verbal Self-Punishment ، High-Pressure Workplace ، Meta-analysis ، Reflective Functioning