Investigating the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in the Relationship between Alexithymia and Core Self-Evaluation with Depression Symptoms in Clients of Counseling Centers of Mashhad City

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Depression can cause a drop in psychological characteristics in clients of counseling centers. Therefore, the aim of this study was investigating the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between alexithymia and core self-evaluation with depression symptoms in clients of counseling centers of Mashhad city.

Methodology: This research was a cross-sectional from type of correlation. The study population consisted of all clients visiting counseling centers of Mashhad city between August and December 2025; which from them 213 individuals were selected as the sample using an available sampling method. The research instruments included the questionnaires of Toronto alexithymia (Bagby et al., 1994), Core Self-Evaluations (Judge et al., 2003), Self-Compassion (Neff, 2003), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck et al., 1996). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with SPSS and AMOS software.

Findings: The findings of this research demonstrated that the model of alexithymia and core self-evaluations with depression from the the mediating role of self-compassion showed a good fit. In this model, the direct effects of alexithymia, core self-evaluations, and self-compassion on depression in clients of counseling centers were significant, as were the indirect effects of alexithymia and core self-evaluations on depression mediated by self-compassion in their were significant (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the result of this study, to reduce depression symptoms in clients of counseling centers can be used educational workshops by fostering a reduction in alexithymia and an increase in core self-evaluation and self-compassion.