Shenakht Journal of Psychology & Psychiatry

Introduction: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is of great importance due to its high prevalence and its adverse effects on both public and mental health.
Aim: The aim of this study was to predict the sense of coherence based on emotion regulation, self-differentiation, and self-compassion in individuals diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Methods: This applied study employed a correlational design. The statistical population consisted of 95 individuals with GAD who visited Aramesh and Shamim counseling centers in Urmia during the fourth quarter of 2022. A sample of 76 participants was selected using the Krejcie and Morgan table and a convenience sampling method. The research instruments included Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Questionnaire, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire by Garnefski and Kraaij, the Differentiation of Self Inventory by Skowron and Friedlander, and Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 through Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis.
Results: The results showed that the sense of coherence was positively and significantly associated with positive emotion regulation, self-differentiation, and self-compassion, and negatively associated with negative emotion regulation (p < 0.05). Moreover, positive emotion regulation, self-differentiation, and self-compassion significantly predicted the sense of coherence in individuals with GAD (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings highlight the predictive role of emotion regulation, self-differentiation, and self-compassion in enhancing the sense of coherence. Accordingly, it is recommended that these variables be considered in designing psychological interventions for individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder