Mediating of Religious Values and Cognitive Fusion in the Relationship Between Defect/Shame Schema and Self-Criticism in Individuals with Physical-Motor Disabilities

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

2 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardaka University, Ardakan, Iran

10.30471/psy.2026.11518.2385

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of cognitive fusion and religious values in the relationship between the defect/shame schema and self-criticism among individuals with physical disabilities. This applied research employed a correlational design using the structural equation modeling. The statistical population included individuals with physical disabilities covered by Welfare Organization residing in Mashhad in 2023. A total of 330 participants were selected through convenience sampling. The research instruments consisted of the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), the Religious Values Scale (RVS), and the Levels of Self-Criticism Scale (LOSC). Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling in SPSS and AMOS. The findings indicated that the defect/shame schema had a significant positive direct effect on self-criticism (β= .660, p= .001) and cognitive fusion (β= .254, p= .001), while religious values had a significant negative direct effect on cognitive fusion (β= −.302, p= .001). Furthermore, self-criticism exerted a significant positive effect on cognitive fusion (β= .337, p= .001) and a significant negative effect on religious values (β= −.693, p= .001). The results revealed that cognitive fusion mediates the relationship between defect/shame schema and self-criticism, and religious values mediate the relationship between self-criticism and cognitive fusion. These findings suggest that higher levels of self-criticism may lead to a reduction in religious values, whereas stronger religious values can decrease cognitive fusion and thereby reduce self-criticism. Accordingly, cognitive fusion and religious values function sequentially as mediators in the relationship between the defect/shame schema and self-criticism.

Keywords

Studies in Islam and Psychology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 February 2026

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