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Objective: Ego strength indicates an individual's capacity to endure stress without experiencing crippling anxiety and is related to a sense of competence and self-sufficiency in personal and social domains. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of therapy based on the integrated self-analytic approach on psychological capital, psychological well-being, ego strength, and emotion regulation difficulties in individuals suffering from COVID-19 grief syndrome. Methods and Materials: The present research method was quasi-experimental, employing a pretest-posttest control group design with a two-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of individuals with COVID-19 grief syndrome in Isfahan during the second half of 2022. Using a purposive sampling method, 30 eligible individuals were selected and randomly assigned equally to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the integrated self-analytic approach therapy (Atashpour et al., 2021) and the acceptance and commitment therapy (Hayes, 2004), while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data collection tools included the Bart and Scott Grief Experience Questionnaire (1989), the Garnefski and Kraaij Emotion Regulation Scale (2006), and the Ego Strength Scale (PIES). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (mixed ANOVA with repeated measures) were used for data analysis. SPSS-26 software was used for conducting the statistical tests. Findings: The calculated F-value for the between-group factor was significant at the 0.05 level (P<0.05). Consequently, there was a significant difference between the mean pretest, posttest, and follow-up scores of psychological capital in the experimental and control groups. Bonferroni post-hoc test results also indicated a significant difference between pretest and posttest, and pretest and follow-up scores of ego strength and emotion regulation difficulties in both experimental groups (P<0.05). However, the post-hoc test results showed no significant difference between posttest and follow-up scores of the study variables (P>0.05). The Tukey post-hoc test also indicated no significant difference in the effectiveness of these two approaches (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that both integrated self-analytic approach therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy were significantly effective in improving ego strength and reducing emotion regulation difficulties. These effects were sustained at the follow-up stage, and the effectiveness of the two approaches was identical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During adolescence, people undergo physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and environmental changes. Considering that the health of any society has a close relationship with the health of its adolescents, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in improving the ego strength and defense mechanisms of adolescents with psychosomatic complaints. Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental design with a control group involved in pre-test and post-test. The statistical population was all the students of a girls' school in one district of Qazvin City (550), Iran, in 2022. The statistical sample consisted of 30 adolescent girls who were chosen on purpose for entering the research and were randomly assigned to the ACT (15 people) and the control (15 people) groups. Data were collected through Takata and Sakata scale of psychosomatic complaints, Markstrom et al.'s Ego Strength Questionnaire, and Andrews et al.'s Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ). ACT was provided to the experimental group for 8 sessions, while the control group remained on the waiting list. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of 0.05 in SPSS software. Results: The ACT was not effective on the developed defense mechanism (P > 0.05), but it was effective on the undeveloped defense mechanism, the neurotic defense mechanism, and ego strength in the post-test stage (P < 0.01). Conclusion: It is suggested that clinical psychologists use ACT to reduce the immature defense mechanisms (primary) and improve ego ability in teenagers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to predict the desire for remarriage based on self-differentiation and ego strength mediated by irrational beliefs in divorced youth. Methods and Materials: The research method was applied in terms of purpose, descriptive in nature, and correlational in type. The population included all divorced youth in District 6 of Tehran during the years 2022-2023. In this study, 400 individuals were selected through convenience sampling using the Kramers method (2006). For data collection, the Desire for Marriage Questionnaire: Pouretemad et al. (2004), the Differentiation of Self Inventory by Skowron and Friedlander (1998), the Ego Strength Scale (ESS), and the Irrational Beliefs Questionnaire by Jones (1986) were used. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and regression analysis). Findings: The results indicated that based on self-differentiation, one can predict the desire for remarriage in divorced youth (p < .01). Similarly, based on ego strength, one can predict the desire for remarriage in divorced youth (p < .01). Additionally, based on irrational beliefs, one can predict the desire for remarriage in divorced youth (p < .01). Conclusion: Therefore, it can be stated that excessive immutability and helplessness in the face of life's challenges among divorced youth can turn into a set of irrational beliefs, consequently reducing their inclination towards remarriage. Such that irrational beliefs about helplessness against change lead to a fear of marriage, preventing the individual from accepting the responsibility of such a commitment, thus impacting the desire for marriage in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is purposed to investigate the effects of pathological narcissism and psychic pain on the prediction of sadistic tendencies through the mediating role of ego strength using structural equation modeling (SEM) in perpetrators of domestic violence. A clinical sample was comprised of 250 perpetrators of domestic violence who were selected using the purposive sampling procedure in a descriptive study. The data were collected using the Comprehensive Assessment of Sadistic Tendencies Scale (CAST-12), Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI), Orbach and Mikulincer Psychic Pain Scale (OMMP), and Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths (PIES). The results show that pathological narcissism and psychic pain have significant positive direct effects on sadistic tendencies. In contrast, ego strength has a significant negative direct influence on sadistic tendencies. Also, pathological narcissism and psychic pain have significantly indirect effects on sadistic tendencies through the mediating role of ego strength. Overall, pathological narcissism, psychic pain, and ego strength explain 86.6% of sadistic tendencies. The results indicate a fitted SEM for the direct and indirect effects of pathological narcissism and psychic pain on sadistic tendencies concerning the mediating role of ego strength. These findings have implications for psychotherapeutic interventions and community-based programs for perpetrators of domestic violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Suicide represents a significant mental health challenge. Therefore, this study aims to establish a structural model of suicide tendencies based on ego strength, with the employment status mediating this relationship among divorced women. Method: This research adopts an applicative approach using correlational analysis through structural equations modeling. The statistical population comprises divorced women covered by the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee of Isfahan in 2023. Districts 2 and 3 were chosen from 5 districts using multistage sampling. A total of 270 women were selected based on Morgan and Krejcie's Table and minimum sample adequacy criteria (Smart PLS3). After excluding distorted questionnaires, 250 questionnaires were analyzed. The research instruments included the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (Beck, 1961) and the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths (Markstrom et al., 1997). Results: The findings demonstrate the significant effect of ego strength on suicidal tendencies (p ≤ 0.001, β = -0.455). Moreover, ego strength significantly and directly influences suicidal tendencies in both divorced housewives (p ≤ 0.001, β = -0.637) and divorced working women (p ≤ 0.001, β = -0.311). Multi-group analysis comparing the coefficients of ego strength on suicidal tendencies in both groups revealed a significant difference (0.326, p ≤ 0.001), indicating the mediating role of employment status in the relationship between ego strength and suicidal tendencies. Conclusion: The significant mediating role of employment status suggests that reducing suicidal tendencies among divorced women can be achieved by creating suitable job opportunities through the Committee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Given the significant impact of the early developmental period on the formation of EGO strength, this study aimed to investigate the predictive role of attachment styles in relation to EGO strength and its subscales, including hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom.Method: This research employs a descriptive correlation methodology. The participants included 250 students from Tehran University and Shahed University who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The Collins and Reid Attachment Style Questionnaires and Markstrom's Ego Strength Questionnaire were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.Result: The correlation results indicate a significant relationship between attachment styles and EGO strength. Furthermore, the multiple regression analysis reveals that this model can predict 33.3% of the variance in EGO strength. The prediction results for the subscales and percentage of change variance are as follows: Hope: 7.30, Will: 9.23, Purpose: 31, Competence: 3.25, Fidelity: 9.13, Love: 3, Care: 9, Wisdom: 5.26.Discussion and Conclusion: The results indicate that the secure attachment style positively predicts EGO strength and its subscales, while the avoidant and anxious attachment styles negatively predict EGO strength and its subscales. These findings demonstrate the significance of secure attachment in predicting ego strength.

Objective: The purpose of this research is to expand the theoretical foundations of behavioral research in the field of accounting ethics and investigate the effect of the situational variable of perceived moral pressure on accountants' moral beliefs and also the moderating role of personal variables (power distance orientation, ego strength, and locus of control) in the relationship between perceived moral pressure and ethical beliefs of accountants. Also, in this research, the effect of personal variables (power distance orientation, ego strength, and locus of control) on the moral beliefs of accountants was investigated. Method: This research is categorized as a behavioral study. The present research is applied research in terms of its purpose. It is descriptive in terms of method and quantitative in data type. Also, based on the data collection method, this research is considered a survey type. In this research, library texts were used to explain the theoretical foundations and collect the background of the research. A questionnaire tool was used to collect the required data. Questionnaires were available to the statistical community through available random sampling. The statistical population of this research is people working in the accounting profession, including financial managers, accounting supervisors, and accounting experts of private companies and companies admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange in 2021. The research data was collected randomly in 201 questionnaires and analyzed using the structural equation model with the partial least square (PLS) approach. Findings: This study investigated the ethical attitudes and beliefs of accountants in the workplace using the interactive and direct effect of the individual variables of power distance orientation, ego strength and locus of control, and the situational variable of perceived moral pressure. The findings show that the perceived moral pressure has a negative and significant effect on the ethical beliefs of accountants. This means that when accountants perceive moral pressure as threatening, they change their attitude and moral beliefs. Therefore, perceived moral pressure can play an important negative role in creating the moral belief orientation of people and be the foundation for unethical behavior in them. This finding was obtained regarding the moderating role of power distance orientation in the relationship between perceived moral pressure and ethical beliefs of accountants. When accountants perceive moral pressure as a threatening factor, the personal characteristic of power distance orientation can affect the ethical beliefs of accountants in response to the situation. Therefore, power distance orientation moderates the relationship between perceived ethical pressure and accountants' ethical beliefs. However, the findings showed that the personal variables of ego strength and locus of control do not moderate the relationship between perceived moral pressure and accountants' moral beliefs. Also, the findings showed that the personal variables of power distance orientation, ego strength, and locus of control significantly affect accountants' moral beliefs. This means that people's personalities affect accountants' moral beliefs. Conclusion: According to the results obtained from this study, it is concluded that the ethical beliefs of accountants are strongly influenced by individual variables (power distance orientation, ego strength, and locus of control) and situational variables (perceived moral pressure). The pressures on accountants threaten their moral beliefs and cause unethical behavior in them because the ethical beliefs of accountants put them on the right path and make accountants behave ethically in performing their duties, which will result in higher ethical commitment of accountants in performing their respective duties in the organization. Considering the influence of the individual variables of power distance orientation, ego strength and locus of control and the situational variable of perceived moral pressure in the formation of accountants' moral beliefs, paying attention to the factors affecting the accountants' moral beliefs and controlling and preventing it's weakening factors, It leads to strengthening the ethics of accountants. Values and beliefs and, as a result, behavioral norms are strengthened in the organization. In general, the results obtained from this study can be useful information for accounting professionals, academics, researchers, and legislators. These findings help accounting professionals understand the effects of misaccepting pressure on ethical beliefs and its consequences and maintain their adherence to ethical principles to maintain their commitment to the profession. Explaining the effective behavioral factors in forming accountants' moral beliefs can encourage academics to revise course units and increase students' moral awareness after entering the professional environment. Therefore, both educational institutions and organizations play an essential role in creating growth opportunities and a suitable environment for the ethical growth of accountants. Organizations should configure their training programs to include topics that promote moral values, especially from the perspective of personal characteristics that lead to strong moral beliefs. Accounting educators, professional organizations, and planners should create strategies to develop and ensure ethical practices in organizations through training programs and seminars focusing on the moral development of individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between ego strength and contextual relationships with self-injurious behaviors of adolescents with the mediation of emotion regulation. The current research was of a descriptive-correlation type. The statistical population in this research was all the male students of the second secondary school in Tabriz city in the academic year 2018-2019, and 190 of them were selected by convenience sampling. In this research, the ego strength scale of Mohammad Ali Beshart (2006), the self-harm questionnaire of Sanson et al. (1998), the socio-emotional questionnaire of Mahmoud No Dargah Fard (2004), the questionnaire on perception of communication with peers Cho and Chang (2012), the link scale with Serenkevich and Giordano school (1992), and the emotional regulation questionnaire of Gras and Jan (2003) were used and the data were analyzed using the path analysis method. The analysis of the data showed that ego strength and contextual relationships have a significant relationship with the self-harming behaviors of teenagers. That is, increasing ego strength and improving tissue relationships can significantly reduce self-harming behaviors in teenagers. Also, emotion regulation can mediate the relationship between ego strength and contextual relationships with the self-harm behaviors of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the role of God Image, God Concept, self-image and self-concept in ego strength among university students. The method of this research was descriptive and correlational. The participants were 250 university students from Tehran University and Shahed University, which were selected by convenience sampling. God-image/Self-image Questionnaire for Spiritual Interventions and Ego Questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The multiple regression showed that this regression model is significant and the variance percentage of change is significant for the sub-results of hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom. Based on the results, the God concept and self-concept predict ego strength and its sub-scales positively. Also, self-image and God image predicted ego strength and its subscales in negatively. These findings show the importance of the discussion of God-oriented spirituality in predicting ego strengthIntroductionErikson defines ego strength as the traits that motivate people in successive stages of life. Ego strength encompasses eight qualities of hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom (Markstrom et al, 1997; Markstrom & Marshal, 2007). Ego strength is related to religiosity and spirituality (Robinette & Puffer, 2018). One of the most important variables in spiritual affairs is the discussion of God image, God-concept, self-image, and self-concept (Janbozorgi, 2019). God-image is when we imagine God from experiences and learning or an unrealistic image of God (Janbozorgi & Sarabadani, 2020) and has an emotional and experimental nature (Moriarty & Hoffman, 2013). In contrast, God concept refers to how God presents himself or the real concept of God (Janbozorgi & Sarabadani, 2020). Also, self-image is the way we perceive and internalize from the perspective of others, and self-concept is the way we perceive from the inside and is consistent with reality. (Janbozorgi & Sarabadani, 2020. The present study aimed to investigate the role of God-concept, God-image, self-concept, and self-image in ego strength and its subscales. The research hypothesis was as follows:1. God image predicts ego strength negatively. 2. Self-image ego strength negatively. 3. God concept predicts ego strength positively. 4. Self-concept predicts ego strength positively. MethodsThis study was an applied study in terms of its aim and descriptive-correlation design. The population of this research included all students of Tehran University and Shahed University of Tehran in the academic year 1400-1401. Convenient sampling was used to select the participants. For the sample size, James Stevens' suggestion in multiple regression analysis is 15 items for each variable (Hooman, 2016). Thus, a number of 250 students from Shahed University and Tehran University were recruited. To enter this research, people needed to have the following conditions: being a student, agreeing to participate in the research, having patience, and having enough time to fill out the questionnaires. Data collection instruments included God-image and self-image questionnaires for spiritual interventions and ego-strength questionnaires. The participants answered the questions using the questionnaire link on the Risloo website. The data were analyzed using multiple regression with SPSS 26. ResultsThe mean and standard deviation of the age of the participants were 58.24 and 5.1. Also, 56% of the participants were women and 44% were men. The distribution of the column graph of the variables was visually almost normal. The regression tests were used as the key statistical procedure.The model of ego strength’s total score based on God-image, God-concept, self-image, and self-concept explained 47.9% of the variance of ego strength changes. Also, due to Durbin-Watson's statistic, the hypothesis of the non-existence of autocorrelation between errors was confirmed because its value was between 1.5 and 2.5. Additional information is provided in Table 1. Table 1 Summary of Regressions for Variables Predicting Ego StrengthModelRR2Adjusted R 2FSigDurbin-Watson10.6920.4790.47156.3180.0001.952 According to Table 2, we can see that the standard coefficients of the God-concept were .22, God-image -0.1, self-image -0.33, and self-concept 0.55. Therefore, all of the hypotheses about ego strength total score were confirmed. That is, God-image and self-image predicted ego-strength negatively, while self-concept and God-concept predicted Ego strength total score positively. Table 2 Regressions Coefficient of Variables Predicting Ego StrengthModel Unstandardized CoefficientsStandardized CoefficientsTPBStd. ErrorBeta1(Constant)78.427.77 10.080.00 God-concept0.980.240.224.030.00 God-image-0.370.20-0.1-1.830.06 Self-image-2.460.36-0.33-6.700.00 Self-concept2.950.280.5810.380.00*P

Background: Relationship obsessive–compulsive disorder (ROCD) is a presentation of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) centering on close interpersonal relationships. ROCD is characterized by obsessive preoccupation, doubts, and compulsive behaviors focusing on one's relationship and relationship partner's qualities and properties. Despite the growing attention to ROCD, not much research has been done on the underlying, cognitive, and personality factors of the symptoms. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the mediating role of ego strength in the relationship between perfectionism dimensions and ROCD symptoms. Methods: The research method was correlational, structural equations modeling type. 430 participants (324 women, 106 men) were selected by convenience sampling method from students of the University of Tehran in the academic year 2022-2023. Selected individuals completed the Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (ROCI; Doron et al., 2012), Ego Strength Scale (ESS; Besharat, 2017), and Tehran Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (TMPS; Besharat, 2007). Research data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis using SPSS28 and AMOS28 software. Results: The hypothesized mediation model provided fit to the data, CFI= 1, TLI= 1, RMSEA = 0.001. The correlation between perfectionism dimensions and ROCD symptoms were significantly positive (p

Aim and Background: Mentalization capacity is necessary for empowering students in interpersonal interactions and consequently obtaining future success, and for this reason, it is necessary to know its correlates, Therefore The purpose of the current research was to investigate the mentalization based on attachment styles, Ego strength, Object relations and Pattern of anxiety manifestation in students. Methods and Materials: The research community was formed by the students of Isfahan National University and Azad University in 2022, according to the latest reports, their number is 35161. Based on Cochran's formula, 380 students were selected as available. The research tools were Attachment Styles Questionnaire (ASQ), Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths (PIES), Bell Object Relations Inventory (BORI), Anxiety Manifestation Patterns Questionnaire and Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) which were completed individually by students. Data analysis was done by multiple regression analysis using the twenty-sixth version of SPSS software. Findings: The results showed that secure and ambivalent attachment styles as well as ego strength can significantly predict students' mentalization capacity. (p

Background: Relationship obsessive–compulsive disorder (ROCD) is a presentation of obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) centering on close interpersonal relationships. ROCD is characterized by obsessive preoccupation, doubts, and compulsive behaviors focusing on one's relationship and relationship partner's qualities and properties. Despite the growing attention to ROCD, not much research has been done on the underlying, cognitive, and personality factors of the symptoms. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the mediating role of ego strength in the relationship between perfectionism dimensions and ROCD symptoms. Methods: The research method was correlational, structural equations modeling type. 430 participants (324 women, 106 men) were selected by convenience sampling method from students of the University of Tehran in the academic year 2022-2023. Selected individuals completed the Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (ROCI; Doron et al., 2012), Ego Strength Scale (ESS; Besharat, 2017), and Tehran Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (TMPS; Besharat, 2007). Research data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and path analysis using SPSS28 and AMOS28 software. Results: The hypothesized mediation model provided fit to the data, CFI= 1, TLI= 1, RMSEA = 0.001. The correlation between perfectionism dimensions and ROCD symptoms were significantly positive (p<0.01), and between ego strength and ROCD symptoms were significantly negative (p<0.01). Conclusion: The study findings suggest that ego strength mediated the association between perfectionism dimensions and ROCD symptoms. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that perfectionism dimensions in ego strength can predict the severity of ROCD symptoms. Considering these variables may be important in the processes of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ROCD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the digestive diseases that is associated with psychological causes, and dynamic treatment can play an effective role in improving psychological symptoms. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of intensive and short-term dynamic therapy on alexithymia, defence style, and ego strength in patients with IBS. Materials and Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental. The research population was all IBS patients referred to internal clinics in Andimshek in 2022. Thirty people were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned into experimental (15 subjects) and control groups (15 subjects). The experimental group received dynamic therapy for fifteen 90-minute sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Two groups were evaluated in three stages using the Alexithymia, Defense Styles, and Ego Strength Questionnaires. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). ResultsThe average scores of defense styles, alexithymia, and ego strength before the intervention were 72.25, 58.36, and 24.08 in the treatment group, and 72.12, 59.16, and 23.52 in the control group, respectively (p>0.05), but after the intervention, the average scores of ego strength showed a significant increase in the treatment group compared to the control group, while defense styles and alexithymia significantly decreased (p<0.001). ConclusionThe results of the study indicated the effect of intensive and short-term dynamic therapy on the improvement of psychological symptoms in the experimental group. With caution, it is recommended to use this intervention as a complementary treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to find out what follows : - degree of ego strength among physical education teachers in Nineveh education. - the differences in the degree of ego strength between public school teachers and private school teachers. - the differences in the degree of ego strength between male and female teachers. The researchers hypothesized: - Physical education teachers have a positive degree of ego strength. - There are no significant differences in the degree of ego strength between public school teachers and private school teachers. - There are no significant differences in the degree of ego strength between male and female teachers The researchers concluded: - Physical education teachers in Nineveh education have a positive degree of ego strength. - Physical education teachers in private schools have a higher degree of ego strength than public school teachers. - There were no differences in the degree of ego strength between male and female physical education teachers in Nineveh Education. The researchers recommended: - Creating a balanced educational and educational environment in public schools in order to raise the degree of ego strength of physical education teachers and thus raise the educational and educational level in Nineveh education . - Conducting other studies to identify the reasons and motives behind the low degree of ego strength of physical education teachers in government schools in Nineveh education . - Conducting studies on the degree of ego strength for teachers of other disciplines .

Background: According to studies, emotional self-regulation and ego power are effective variables on anxiety, which is effective in organizing adaptive behavior and preventing negative emotions. Metacognitive therapy is effective on beliefs related to thought control, self-regulation strategies and increasing my strength in anxious people, but there is a research gap in the group effectiveness of this treatment. Aims: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of group metacognitive therapy on emotional self-regulation and ego strength of anxious students. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of the present study consisted of all students of Allameh Tabatabai and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Tehran in the academic year 2020-2021, from which 30 students were selected by sampling method and according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria as a sample. They were randomly divided into experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group received group metacognitive therapy wells and cartwright (2008) in 10 sessions of 45 to 60 minutes in the Green Way Psychology Clinic. The control group was also placed on a waiting list. The Psychological Inventory of Ego Strength (PIES) of Markstrom et al (1997) and emotional self-regulation questionnaire og the Hoffman et al (2010) were used to collect data. Data analysis using multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The results showed that group metacognitive therapy significantly increased hope (28.48), desire (59.05), goal (24.16), competence (44.64), loyalty (48.50), love (9.83), care (72.74), wisdom (10.24), adaptation (92.90), secrecy (27.65) and tolerance (33.95) of anxious students were effective (p≤0.001). Conclusion: Overall, group metacognitive therapy can reduce anxiety by modifying misconceptions about uncontrollable anxiety, negative beliefs, and increasing self-esteem.

Background and Objectives: In the care and treatment of patients in need of dialysis, spiritual experiences as a method of problem-solving in crises and problems can facilitate adaptation to dialysis. This study investigated the mediating role of spiritual experiences with ego strength on the adaptation to dialysis. Methods: The statistical population included all patients in need of dialysis referred to the Educational-Research Center of Abu Ali Sina Hospital in Shiraz City, Iran, in 2019. Out of them, 120 patients were selected by a convenience sampling method. The study data were collected through the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES), ego strength, and adaptation to disease. Then, the obtained data were analyzed based on structural equations in Amos v. 21 software. Results: The findings showed that ego strength is significant with spiritual experiences and adaptation to dialysis. But the relationship between spiritual experiences and adaptation to dialysis is not significant. Also, the direct and indirect effects of the variables showed that ego strength as a predictor variable and spiritual experiences as a mediating variable could predict adaptation to dialysis (P

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Integrative Therapy, Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in increasing ego strength and reducing generalized anxiety disorder. The research method of the present study is applied and is quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design with control group. The statistical population of the study consists of all individuals with generalized anxiety disorder who attended counseling centers in Hamadan during 2017-2019. The subjects diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder were selected based on Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HRSA) and Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths (PIES). Twenty-four of them were selected through a semi-structured clinical interview and randomly divided into two experimental (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The experimental group received 15 sessions of 60 minutes of Integrative Therapy and a psychiatric diagnosis once a week and were randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control. Multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to analyze the data. The results showed that when controlling for the pretest effect, there was a significant difference between the posttest scores of the experimental and control groups in terms of ego strength and generalized anxiety (p

Background and Objectives: Although pain is necessary for the continuation of life, this phenomenon often loses its warning and adaptive role and causes various problems. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to design and test the prediction model of adaptation to pain based on attachment styles and ego strength with the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Tehran in 2021. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study conducted by correlational method, the statistical population included all patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Tehran in 2021. 300 patients were selected from the pain clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital by convenience sampling method and answered the questionnaires of Attachment Styles, Ego Strength, Cognitive Emotion Regulation, and Multidimensional Pain Inventory. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: The results of structural equation modeling showed that the coefficients of the direct path of attachment styles (β=0.61, p<0.001) and ego strength (β=0.89, p<0.001) to the adaptation to pain were significant. In addition, attachment styles and ego strength had an indirect effect on the adaptation to pain with the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation. Conclusion: The results of this study reveal that attachment styles, ego strength, and cognitive emotion regulation can directly and indirectly affect the perception of chronic pain and ultimately the performance of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and on the other hand, play a dynamic role in adapting to chronic pain. These results can be used in designing preventive and interventional programs of chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Psychological well-being as a component of positive psychology is associated with a variety of personal and family factors in psychology such as self-differentiation, Alexithymia and ego strength. Aim: This study was aimed to investigate on prediction of psychological well-being based on self-differentiation, Alexithymia and ego strength in students in Islamic Azad University in Qom city. Method: Its method was descriptive and type of correlation. The statistical community included all students in Islamic Azad University in Qom city in academic year of 2016-2017, that 350 students (195 male and 155 female) were chose by cluster sampling method. Gathering data tool included Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI), Alexithymia Scale, 4 factors of Catell's Sixteen Factors Personality Inventory, and Ryff Psychological Well-being Questionnaire. Data analyzed by using of SPSS-26 software with Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariable regression analysis. Results: Findings showed that self-differentiation, Alexithymia and ego strength could predict 25/38 variance of psychological well-being (P

Substance abuse is a maladaptive pattern of substance use through recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances appearing. Multiple variables affected on severity, duration and treatment of substance abuse disorders. In 2017, globally 271 million people were estimated to have used one or more illicit drugs. The aim of this causal-comparative study was the comparison of impulsiveness, ego strength, alexithymia and perceived social support in addicts who continued treatment and those who abandoned treatment. Methods: For this purpose, 180 participations referred to 3 drug rehabilitation center and after obtaining the consent and conveniently placed into three groups: medicinal, motivational and combined (medicinal-motivational) treatment randomly. Participations completed BIS (Barratt, 1994), Ego Strength Scale (Besharat, 2006), TAS-20 (Bagby, Parker & Taylor, 1994) and MSPSS (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet & Farley, 1998) before and after the treatments. The number of people remained at the end of treatment were 45, 39 and 43 respectively in each group. For analyze the data non-parametric U Mann-Whitney test was used. Results: The results showed significant differences on impulsiveness, ego strength, alexithymia and perceived social support between Addicts Who Continued Treatment and Those Who Abandoned Treatment. Conclusion: Considering these variable can be effective in preventing, diagnosis and treatment of addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to develop a scale for assessing children’s ego strength through the observation of children playing board games in a therapeutic setting. Because ego strength is an index of psychosocial health, it is important to assess ego strength in childhood. In particular, children aged 7 to 9 exhibit their ego-strength characteristics in a situation challenged by self-competence due to their latency period. Therapists can identify such ego strength through game behaviors of children aged 7 to 9 in the play therapy setting. Thus, it is needed to develop a scale by selecting game play behaviors that grasp ego-strength. Method Data were collected from 127 play therapists and play therapist-supervisors, who observed 468 play therapy sessions and 55 children aged 7–9 who received play therapy in Korea. The scale was created through content validity verification, factor analysis and verification of criterion-related validity. Results We generated a Child’s Ego Strength Scale (CESS) consisting of five sub-factors (Coping Strategy, Cognitive Strategy, Ego Restriction, Interpersonal Functioning, Frustration Tolerance) through exploratory factor analysis. The scale met the goodness of fit criteria in a confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis of therapy sessions of children with strong and weak ego strength, as identified by play therapists, showed a significant difference between the two groups in all five sub-variables. There was a significant correlation between the CESS scores and scores of ego strength-related variables of the Rorschach scale, indicating good criterion-related validity. Conclusion The CESS appears to be a practical method for the assessment of ego strength in the field of child counseling.

The present study aimed at designing a structural model to predict job success through ego strength with due to the mediating role of marital satisfaction and self-esteem. The research method employed a correlation with structural equations. Research statistical population consists of married men and women workers in the East governorships of Tehran Province in 2018. Given that for the structural equation modeling studies 200 to 400 recommended individuals (Schumacher and Lumex, 2009), the sample size was considered to be 300 who were selected randomly using simple sampling. The questionnaires used in the study were Nabi job success, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction, Markstrom’s ego strength Markstrom et al., Eysenck Self-esteem that participants completed them. To test the hypotheses, the structural equations were used. Findings reported that ego strength is significantly positive predicting job success. Self-esteem is significantly positive mediating the relationship between ego strength and job success. Marital satisfaction is significantly positive mediating the relationship between ego strength and job success. Based on the obtained results, we can conclude that ego strength both directly and through the mediation of marital satisfaction and self-esteem can play a role in the level of job success.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on the ego strength and anxiety among people with generalized anxiety disorder. The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest-post-test design and control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all individuals with generalized anxiety disorder referring to counseling centers in Hamadan during November, 2017 to November, 2018. Twenty-four of them were selected through semi-structured clinical interview and were randomly assigned into two experimental (n =12) and control (n=12) groups. The experimental group individually received cognitive-behavioral therapy for 15 sessions of 60 minutes, once a week; the control group was on the waiting list. Data were collected from the Hamilton anxiety rating scale and psychosocial inventory of ego strengths used in two pre-test and post-test stages. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. The results showed that by controlling for pre-test effect, there was a significant difference between post-test scores of experimental groups and control group on ego strength and anxiety variables. In other words, cognitive behavioral therapy was effective on increasing ego strength and decreasing general anxiety of the experimental group. According to the results of this study, recommended, cognitive behavioral therapy to increase the ability of people with generalized anxiety disorder to be used in the face of challenges and difficult life situations.

The current study aimed to identify the level of ego strength, feeling of guilt and Eudemonic Well- Being of the battered women in Jordan, And the contribution of ego strength and a feeling of guilt in predicting Eudemonic Well-Being, The study sample consisted of (100) battered women with age ranged between (15-55), the researchers developed three measures (ego strength, feeling of guilt, Eudemonic Well-Being), and they a assured the reliability and validity of these measures. The results indicated that the level of ego strength and feeling guilt and Eudemonic Well-Being for the battered women in Jordan were moderate, It also showed that there is a predictive ability of the ego strength and the feeling of guilt for the eudemonic well being, both variables account for (59%) of the explained variance of the eudemonic well being for the battered women, the ego strength explained (54%) of variance of the eudemonic well being, and feeling of guilt explained (4.7%). The relationship between ego strength and eudemonic well-being was positive and statistically significant, while the relationship between feeling of guilt and eudemonic well being was negative and statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mindfulness which comes from eastern traditions, especially Buddhism, is defined by conscious attention to current moment and internal/external personal experiences. Researches showed that mindfulness has relationships with the attachment styles but does ego strength can mediate the relationship between attachment styles and mindfulness? Aims: The present study was performed to examine the mediating role of ego strength on the relationship between attachment styles and mindfulness in the University of Tehran and Medical University of Tehran students. Method: current study is a descriptive-correlational research Two hundred and sixty eight students (231 make, 36 female) participated in the study. All the students were asked to complete the Adult Attachment Inventory (Besharat, 1392), Ego Strength Scale (Besharat, 1395) and Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale (Ghasemipour and Ghorbani, 2008). Results: Analysis of data involves descriptive and inferential statistics including frequency, percentage, mean standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and path analysis. The results demonstrated that secure attachment had a significant positive association with mindfulness (r=0/50؛ p

Background and Objectives: In the care and treatment of patients in need of dialysis, spiritual experiences as a method of problem-solving in crises and problems can facilitate adaptation to dialysis. This study investigated the mediating role of spiritual experiences with ego strength on the adaptation to dialysis. Methods: The statistical population included all patients in need of dialysis referred to the Educational-Research Center of Abu Ali Sina Hospital in Shiraz City, Iran, in 2019. Out of them, 120 patients were selected by a convenience sampling method. The study data were collected through the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES), ego strength, and adaptation to disease. Then, the obtained data were analyzed based on structural equations in Amos v. 21 software. Results: The findings showed that ego strength is significant with spiritual experiences and adaptation to dialysis. But the relationship between spiritual experiences and adaptation to dialysis is not significant. Also, the direct and indirect effects of the variables showed that ego strength as a predictor variable and spiritual experiences as a mediating variable could predict adaptation to dialysis (P<0.01). But the ego strength through spiritual experiences cannot predict adaptation to dialysis. Conclusion: According to the research findings, ego strength can predict disease adaptation in dialysis patients, but daily spiritual experiences cannot lead to disease adaptation in dialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In intensive transactional analysis psychotherapy (ITAP), intensity is obtained with both technical expedients and the relational manner with the patient. In ITAP, the therapist modulates pressure and support commensurately to the patients' ego strength. In the present article, we contrast two clinical cases of young adults in which ego strength produced different therapy outcomes and processes. We present excerpts of the psychotherapy process that illustrates technical aspects of ITAP as well as the therapist's attitude that we describe as holding. We show quantitative therapy outcomes consisting of effects size values of changes in Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation—Outcome Measure scores in baseline, treatment, and follow-up phases and qualitative outcome evaluated with the Change Interview at the end of the therapy. In the patient with high ego strength, we observed a rapid improvement and a complete recovery at the end of the therapy, whereas the results of the patient with low ego strength were less consistent (more fluctuations in Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation—Outcome Measure scores including deterioration but good qualitative outcome). We conclude that quantitative and qualitative outcome data, together with process observations, are required to have a complete picture of therapy effectiveness. Moreover, we conclude that qualitative ego strength is not a limitation for the use of expressive therapy such as ITAP, but rather, it is an important variable that should be considered to dose confrontations and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale for assessing children's ego strength through the observation of children playing board games in a therapeutic setting. Because ego strength is an index of psychosocial health, it is important to assess ego strength in childhood. In particular, children aged 7 to 9 exhibit their ego-strength characteristics in a situation challenged by self-competence due to their latency period. Therapists can identify such ego strength through game behaviors of children aged 7 to 9 in the play therapy setting. Thus, it is needed to develop a scale by selecting game play behaviors that grasp ego-strength. Method: Data were collected from 127 play therapists and play therapist-supervisors, who observed 468 play therapy sessions and 55 children aged 7–9 who received play therapy in Korea. The scale was created through content validity verification, factor analysis and verification of criterion-related validity. Results: We generated a Child's Ego Strength Scale (CESS) consisting of five sub-factors (Coping Strategy, Cognitive Strategy, Ego Restriction, Interpersonal Functioning, Frustration Tolerance) through exploratory factor analysis. The scale met the goodness of fit criteria in a confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis of therapy sessions of children with strong and weak ego strength, as identified by play therapists, showed a significant difference between the two groups in all five sub-variables. There was a significant correlation between the CESS scores and scores of ego strength-related variables of the Rorschach scale, indicating good criterion-related validity. Conclusion: The CESS appears to be a practical method for the assessment of ego strength in the field of child counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than a million people worldwide die by suicide every year, the risk of committing suicide in healthcare related occupations, especially nursing, is much higher than other occupations. The current study aimed at investigating the role of the Thwarted Belongingness (TB), Perceived Burdensomeness (PB), Self-Efficacy (SE), and Ego Strength (ES) in predicating Suicidal Ideation (SI) in nurses. Materials and Methods: In the current descriptive-correlational study, convenience sampling method was employed to select 120 nurses of hospitals in Ardabil, Iran. The participants completed the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Psychology Inventory Ego Strengths (PIES), and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI). The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics indices, Pearson correlation analysis, and multivariate regression with SPSS V. 23. Results: The obtained result showed a significant and positive relationship between Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness, and Suicidal Ideation as well as a significant and negative relationship between Self-Efficacy and Ego Strength, and Suicidal Ideation. Also, the result of the multivariate regression showed that Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, Self-Efficacy, and Ego Strength predictability can account for 46% of Suicidal Ideation. Also, the result showed that Perceived Burdensomeness could explain and predict Suicidal Ideation better than other variables. Conclusion: Generally, Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness, as two interpersonal factors, and Self-Efficacy and Ego Strength, as two intrapersonal factors, can predict Suicidal Ideation of nurses. Possession of the sense of Thwarted Belongingness leads to a feeling of loneliness, and perceiving burdensomeness leads to a feeling of self-hatred, and ultimately, the combination of these two structures leads to the formation of Suicidal Ideation. Also, poor Self-Efficacy leads to negative judgment of abilities and the low Ego Strength uses inappropriate defense mechanisms such as denial and suppression, and ultimately, the combination of these two forms Suicidal Ideation. Therefore, providing the training to improve interpersonal relationships in order to reduce the felling of Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness as well as individual counseling to improve Self-Efficacy and Ego Strength can be effective in reducing Suicidal Ideation and suicide attempt in nurses.

Background: Mental health is a predictor of life expectancy and one of the indicators life's progress. Aims: The present was carried out in order to investigate the mediating role of ego strength between ego development and mental health. Method: current study is an inferential research. To this end, a sample of 112 students who lives in dormitories of Tehran university (55 girls and 57 boys) were selected through multistage cluster sampling. They were asked to complete 3 tests including: Washington University Sentence Completion Test (WuscT, 1981) to measure ego development, Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ20) to measure mental health, the Strength Questionnaire (ESS, Besharat, 2007). Results: The use of path analysis in Amos application investigating the mentioned mediation, demonstrated That ego strength has a statistically significant mediating effect on ego development and mental health. (Affects the intensity and direction of their relationship). Conclusions: Also, there was a positive significant correlation between ego strength and mental health, while, there was no significant correlation between ego development and mental health. The higher the level of ego development and ego strength of a person is, the higher his/her mental health would be.

Cet article vise à approfondir notre compréhension de l'attitude humoristique à travers le prisme de l'humoriste lorsque celui-ci se prend pour objet. En prenant appui sur le texte intitulé l'Humour (1927), nous commencerons par discuter le problème de l'étrange surmoi qui apparaît, sous la plume de Freud, particulièrement conciliant et rassurant. Nous proposerons alors de résoudre ce paradoxe en replaçant le Moi au centre du processus. Cette variation sera l'occasion, au travers d'un exemple personnel, de cerner de quelle manière le Moi en vient à se considérer lui-même comme objet d'une perception humoristique. Il apparaît que la capacité à rire de soi dépend davantage de l'habilité du Moi à faire avec l'agression surmoïque que de la qualité du Surmoi en lui-même. Face à une injonction surmoïque sidérante, le Moi consent à la cassure. Cependant, en faisant exister conjointement deux états différents, il devient capable d'en percevoir l'éventuelle différence comique. Ce mécanisme psychique fait ainsi de l'humour un des rares outils susceptibles de nous faire entendre une réalité dérangeante tout en permettant au Moi un gain narcissique. De manière plus générale, il apparaît que l'humour est un moyen particulièrement approprié d'harmoniser un bref instant les revendications, non seulement du Moi et du Surmoi, mais également du Ça et de la réalité extérieure. En accord avec la conception freudienne, la capacité à se considérer soi-même avec humour pourrait bien être un des moyens les plus élaborés de permettre une maturation psychique importante sans pour autant négliger les aspects douloureux de la réalité extérieure. This article aims to deepen our understanding of the humorous attitude by looking at the humorist who laugh at himself. By building on Freud's short text Humor (1927), we will first discuss the problem of the Superego, which Freud here describes as particularly conciliatory and reassuring. We will then attempt to overcome this paradox by shifting our focus to the Ego. By using a personal example, we will describe the mechanisms that allow the Ego to consider itself as the object of a humorous perception. It appears that the ability to laugh at ourselves relies more on the Ego's capacity to deal with the Superego's aggression than on the intrinsic qualities of the Superego itself. In response to a powerful injunction from the Superego, the Ego consents to split into pieces. However, by simultaneously maintaining two different states of being, it also becomes able to perceive the potentially comical gap between its two forms. The psychic mechanism of humor would be one of the rare tools that allows us to become aware of an upsetting reality without a narcissist loss for the ego. Generally speaking, it appears that humor could be a particularly appropriate way of temporarily harmonizing the claims of the Ego, the Superego, the Id, and external reality. Consistent with Freud's ideas, the ability to consider ourselves with humor could be one of the most elaborated paths to psychic growth, which nevertheless does not neglect the painful aspects of external reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the relationship between religious commitment and ego strength among a sample of university students at Hashemite University, Jordan. The study sample consisted of 572 male and female undergraduate students. To achieve the aims of this study, scales of religious commitment and ego strength were developed and satisfactory psychometric properties of validity and stability were provided. The results showed that the levels of religious commitment and ego strength were high. Moreover, the results indicated that there is a positive significant correlation between religious commitment and ego strength. The results also showed there were no statistically significant differences in religious commitment and ego strength due to gender. However, there were statistically significant differences in terms of year of study in favor of fourth -year students and also in terms of specialization in favor of scientific specializations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of hypnosis on self-efficacy and soccer performance. Fifty-nine collegiate soccer players were randomly allocated to either a hypnosis (n = 30) or video attention-control group (n = 29). A pretest-posttest design with an additional 4-week follow-up was used. Self-efficacy was measured via a task-specific questionnaire comprising 10 items relating to good performance on a soccer wall-volley task. The hypnotic intervention comprised three sessions using ego-strengthening suggestions. The control group watched edited videos of professional soccer games. Results indicated that, following the intervention, the hypnosis group were more efficacious and performed better than the control group. These differences were also seen at the 4-week follow-up stage. Although changes in self-efficacy were associated with changes in performance, the effect of hypnosis on performance was not mediated by changes in self-efficacy. The study demonstrates that hypnosis can be used to enhance and maintain self-efficacy and soccer wall-volley performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfectionism as a multidimensional personality trait is related to anxiety symptoms. There are many factors that could affect the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and anxiety symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of ego strength on the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and anxiety symptoms. Two hundred and sixty eight students (144 females, 124 males) from the University of Tehran participated in this study. All Participants were asked to complete Tehran Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (TMPS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Ego Strength Scale (ESS).The results revealed that there was significant positive and negative association between other-oriented/socially prescribed perfectionism and self-oriented perfectionism with anxiety symptoms, respectively. There was a significant negative association between ego strength and anxiety symptoms. The relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and anxiety symptoms was mediated by ego strength. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism and anxiety symptoms is not a linear and one dimensional correlation. Ego strength can play a meditational role between the two.

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Spirituality has always been considered to be a natural part of being human. Spiritual orientation leads to spiritual transcendence when the capacity of individuals goes beyond to stand outside of their immediate time and place, and to view life from a larger, more objective perspective. Behavior is transcendent when it overrides environmental contingencies or apparent personal limits. Transcendence is an important predictor of mental health and well-being among middle-aged and older adults (Ellermann & Reed, 200 I). Religion and spirituality are universal threads in the fabric of human experience. While researchers initially measured religion as a uni-dimensional entity, it soon became evident that there were two distinct types of religiousness. Allport (1959) coined the term 'extrinsic' and 'intrinsic religious orientation'. He distinguished between the intrinsically and extrinsically oriented as those who approach religion as 'living' or 'using' religion respectively (Pollard & Bates, 2004). From the self-detennination perspective too, self-initiation and regulation of religious orientation was emphasized in researches (Ryan & Connell, 1989). A third dimension of religious orientation was later developed called the quest orientation. According to Kristensen, Pedersen, and Williams (1975), the third dimension emerged as a result of argument that the intrinsic-extrinsic dichotomy never included all the constituent elements of mature religiosity. According to them, this observation suggests that "at least one fundamental aspect of mature religiosity not included inAllport's original model is an open-ended intellectual search for answers to grander and more existential issues and thus, this religious dimension was named the quest orientation". The present investigation proposed to examine gender differences in all these three aspects of religious orientation, viz., intrinsic, extrinsic, and quest orientation. The aging process is an important step in an individual's spiritual journey and spiritual growth. Erik (1964) postulated that ego virtues or ego strengths are instinctual, inherent, and internal strengths gained by healthy individuals. With the successful resolution of all eight psychosocial crises throughout the life cycle, a healthy personality results (Erikson, 1956). Transcendence is driven by intrinsic motivating factors. Maslow has recently emphasized that growth motivation emphasizes one's journey from self-actualization towards transcendence. Therefore, it was considered important to study how males and females differ on their path towards these life goals. The present study attempted to examine gender differences in spiritual transcendence, religiosity, ego strength, and self-actualization. There are various transitions for both, men and women when entering into the middle years of life. So, it is important to analyze how the two differ in their approach to reach the point of fulfilment in life. The sample comprised I 00 professors (50 males & 50 females) in the age group of 40-55 years. Participants were from urban cities of Punjab, India. I-test (for independent samples) was applied which showed no significant gender differences on spiritual transcendence, religiosity, ego strength, and self-actualization, by and large. Adult women however, reported higher levels of quest orientation (a subscale of religiosity) than men. The findings are interpreted in light of the Indian socio-cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]