Volume 23, Issue 3 (12-2025)
RBS 2025, 23(3): 428-442 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Kermani N, Zaree M, Kalantar A, Zamanpour E, Farahbakhsh K. Exploring the factors involved in an effective parenting relationship from the mothers' perspective based on the mentalization theory, a qualitative study. RBS 2025; 23 (3) :428-442
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1919-en.html
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-1919-en.html
1- PhD student in counseling, Department of Psychology and counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Assistant professor, Department of Psychology and counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran. ,zare@samt.ac.ir
3- Assistant professor, Department of Psychology and counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
4- Associate professor, Department of Psychology and counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Assistant professor, Department of Psychology and counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran. ,
3- Assistant professor, Department of Psychology and counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
4- Associate professor, Department of Psychology and counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (18 Views)
Aim and Background: Parenting plays a pivotal role in shaping the mental health of both parents-children and society. The quality of the parent-child relationship serves as a foundational element influencing a child’s academic, social, and psychological well-being in the long term. This study aims to explore how successful mothers access their children's inner worlds and to analyze the key factors of the parent-child relationship through the lens of mentalization theory.
Methods and Materials: The study involved mothers of children aged 5 to 12 years residing in Tehran. A purposive sample of 10 successful mothers was selected based on observational criteria and their scores on the Parenting-Reflection Test. Semi-structured interviews, structured by the theory of mentalization, were conducted and continued until data saturation was achieved. The data were analyzed using content analysis, a qualitative method chosen to ensure adherence to rigorous qualitative research standards.
Findings: The analysis revealed that successful mothers excel in two core domains: emotion regulation and mentalization skills. Emotion regulation refers to the ability of parents to manage both their own emotions and their children as well. Mentalization skills were identified as encompassing four primary subthemes: reflective parenting, overcoming mentalization barriers, fostering secure attachment, and recognizing pre-mentalization dimensions. These themes were further subdivided into 36 subthemes, providing a deeper understanding of the subject.
Conclusion: The findings of this study offer valuable insights for the development of a mentalization-based training program tailored to the cultural context of Iranian mothers. Such a program could contribute significantly to enhancing parenting practices, with particular attention to factors that resonate with the unique experiences of Iranian mothers
Methods and Materials: The study involved mothers of children aged 5 to 12 years residing in Tehran. A purposive sample of 10 successful mothers was selected based on observational criteria and their scores on the Parenting-Reflection Test. Semi-structured interviews, structured by the theory of mentalization, were conducted and continued until data saturation was achieved. The data were analyzed using content analysis, a qualitative method chosen to ensure adherence to rigorous qualitative research standards.
Findings: The analysis revealed that successful mothers excel in two core domains: emotion regulation and mentalization skills. Emotion regulation refers to the ability of parents to manage both their own emotions and their children as well. Mentalization skills were identified as encompassing four primary subthemes: reflective parenting, overcoming mentalization barriers, fostering secure attachment, and recognizing pre-mentalization dimensions. These themes were further subdivided into 36 subthemes, providing a deeper understanding of the subject.
Conclusion: The findings of this study offer valuable insights for the development of a mentalization-based training program tailored to the cultural context of Iranian mothers. Such a program could contribute significantly to enhancing parenting practices, with particular attention to factors that resonate with the unique experiences of Iranian mothers
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/04/14 | Accepted: 2025/09/9 | Published: 2025/12/1
Received: 2025/04/14 | Accepted: 2025/09/9 | Published: 2025/12/1
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |