The study was carried out to develop a theoretical and empirical model of self-destructiveness with an emphasis on the ego development, with the hypothesis that the ego development level can mediate the relationship between stress and perceived stress. 258 students resp
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The study was carried out to develop a theoretical and empirical model of self-destructiveness with an emphasis on the ego development, with the hypothesis that the ego development level can mediate the relationship between stress and perceived stress. 258 students responded to the Washington University Sentences Completion Test (WUSCT), Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CSDS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Paykle Scaling of Life Events. Data were analyzed by SPSS-21 and LISREL-8.72, through Pearson correlation and the path analysis. Results showed an inverse relationship between self-destructiveness and ego development level. The sample was divided into high and low levels of ego development groups and the linear relation of stress, perceived stress, and self-destructiveness was investigated in both groups. Findings showed that all of the paths were significant and the model fit with the data. The CR was significant and indicated that there is a significant difference between the coefficients of the two groups with high and low levels of ego development. The path of “stressor → perceived stress” was stronger in persons with lower levels of ego development, as a high level of ego development, as a basic construct, can reduce the effect and amount of stress, before the perception of stress. Findings led to the development of a simple model which interprets stress or perceived stress merely as a reason for self-destructiveness tendencies. Ego development, as a basic indicator of character development, has a critical role in this model. These findings is useful in the treatment of persons with self-destructive tendencies.
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