Structural Modelling of the Relationship between Mindfulness, Self-Determination, Self-Compassion and Alexithymia in Girl Students Engaged in Self-Injury

The aim of this study was to investigate the structural modeling of the relationship between mindfulness, self-determination, self-compassion and alexithymiaamong female students who engage in self-injury. The present research was conducted with a correlational method that performed by structural equation modeling. The study population consisted female high school students in Fooladshahr in 2019-2020. Using purposeful sampling method, 91 subjects were selected and completed Freiburg's mindfulness questionnaire, self-compassion, self-determination scale, and alexithymia. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling using SMART-PLS software. Findings showed that mindfulness had a direct positive effect on both self-compassion and self-determination and had a direct negative effect on alexithymia. Moreover, self-determination had a direct positive effect on self-compassion and had a negative direct effect on alexithymia (p < 0.01). However, investigating indirect relationships showed that mindfulness indirectly by increase self-determination resulted in increasing self-compassion and decreeing alexithymiain girl adolescents who engage in self-injury (p < 0.01). Therefore, it can be concluded that self-determination plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and self-compassion and also in the relationship between mindfulness and alexithymia among girl students who engage in self-injury.