The Mediating Role of Meta-emotional Beliefs in the Relationship between Family Psychological Functioning and Adolescent Psychological Well-being

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of meta-emotional beliefs in the relationship between family psychological functioning and adolescents’ psychological well-being. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all high school students in Zabarkhan County (N=2000), from which 300 participants were selected using convenience sampling. The data collection tools included the Family Functioning Questionnaire (Epstein & Bishop, 1983), the Psychological Well-being Scale (Ryff, 1989), and the Meta-Cognition and Positive Meta-Emotion Questionnaire (Beer, 2011). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, path analysis, and SPSS version 26 with PROCESS MACRO. The results indicated a significant positive correlation between family psychological functioning, meta-emotional beliefs, and psychological well-being. Family functioning had a direct and significant effect on psychological well-being (β=0.31, p<0.001) and positive meta-emotional beliefs (β=0.36, p<0.001). Positive meta-emotional beliefs also had a significant direct effect on psychological well-being (β=0.20, p<0.05). Moreover, the indirect effect of family functioning on psychological well-being through positive meta-emotional beliefs was significant (β=0.07, p<0.05). The model demonstrated a good fit, supporting the partial mediating role of meta-emotional beliefs. The findings suggest that families with optimal psychological functioning enhance adolescents’ psychological well-being by fostering positive meta-emotional beliefs. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving parental understanding of meta-emotional processes and family functioning can effectively promote adolescent mental health.