The mediating and moderating role of ego strength in the relationship between object relations and identity status

Considering the role of early experiences with parents in development of identity in adulthood, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of object relations in development of identity status and also the mediating and moderating role of ego strength in this relationship.

This was a correlational study. The sample of this study consisted of 200 students of Islamic Azad University of Tehran- south branch in academic year of 1397-1398 who were selected by accessible method. They responded to the Bell Object Relation Inventory, the Revised Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status and the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strength.

Data analyses using regression method showed that object relations and ego strength predict identity status significantly. Furthermore, results of hierarchical regression analyses supported the mediating role of ego strength in the relationship between object relations and successful identity. In addition, the moderating role of ego strength in the relationship between ego centricity of object relations and postponed identity was confirmed.

These findings can be used for enrichment of mediating models and better understanding of the role of childhood relationships in development of identity in adulthood.