Structural Model for Predicting Anxiety in Adolescent Athletes Based on Defense Mechanisms: Examining the Mediating Role of Integrative Self-Knowledge and Resilience

Akbari, Azar; Fathi, Reza; Sanago Moharer, Gholamreza

doi:10.22089/spsyj.2026.18039.2571

Structural Model for Predicting Anxiety in Adolescent Athletes Based on Defense Mechanisms: Examining the Mediating Role of Integrative Self-Knowledge and Resilience

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original research

Authors

Azar Akbari ¹

Reza Fathi ²

Gholamreza Sanago Moharer ³

¹ PhD in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran.

² Associate Professor of Distance Education Planning, Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran.

³ Department of General Psychology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.

10.22089/spsyj.2026.18039.2571

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the fit of a model for predicting anxiety in adolescent athletes based on defense mechanisms and to examine the mediating role of integrative self-knowledge and resilience.

Materials and Methods: This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of method. The statistical population of this study consisted of all adolescent athletes in Tehran, from among whom 220 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (1988); the Self-Knowledge Scale by Ghorbani et al. (2003); the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003); and the Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40) by Andrews et al. (1993). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and SPSS-23 and AMOS-23 software.

Results: The results showed that anxiety in students is predicted based on mature (β = -0.402, P = 0.001), immature (β = 0.512, P = 0.001), and neurotic (β = 0.349, P = 0.001) defense mechanisms, with resilience and integrative self-knowledge playing a mediating role.

Conclusion: Defense mechanisms play a significant role in predicting anxiety in adolescent athletes, and this relationship is mediated through integrative self-knowledge and resilience. Strengthening these factors can help reduce anxiety and improve the mental health of adolescent athletes.

Keywords

Anxiety

Resilience

Integrative Self-Knowledge

Defense Mechanisms

Athletes

Subjects