Structural Modeling of Psychological Maladjustment Based on Resilience with the Mediating Role of Ego Strength in Patients with Chronic Pain

This study aimed to model the structure of psychological maladjustment based on resilience with the mediating role of ego strength in patients suffering from chronic pain.

Methods and Materials: 

Given its purpose, this research is applied in nature, quantitative in its data collection method, and descriptive in its analysis, employing correlational design and structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The study population comprised all patients with chronic pain who visited specialized pain clinics in Tehran from February 2021 to May 2022. Using the Tabachnick and Fidell (2007) formula, a sample size of 330 was determined and selected via convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Psychological Adjustment Questionnaire (Rohner & Khaleque, 2005), the Resilience Scale (Connor-Davidson, 2003), and the Psychological Ego Strength Questionnaire (Marcia et al., 1997). Data analysis was performed in two stages: descriptive (central tendency and dispersion indices, skewness, and kurtosis) and inferential (structural equation modeling), using SPSS-V23 and LISREL-V8.8 software.

The results showed that the model fits well. Additionally, the results indicated a significant direct and indirect (through the mediating role of ego strength) relationship between resilience and psychological maladjustment in patients with chronic pain. The impact of resilience on psychological maladjustment, mediated by ego strength, was negatively significant at a rate of 0.95.

Considering the findings of this study, it can be concluded that ego strength, as a psychological capacity, and resilience are effective on social interactions and functioning. It is suggested that to improve the psychological adjustment of patients with chronic pain, efforts should be made to foster ego strength and resilience training.