Esra KOTEN
Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi - 2026;29(3):211-220
Objective: This study examined whether perceived problem-solving ability mediates the association between mentalization and resilience in non-clinical adults. Method: A cross-sectional correlational design was used. The sample comprised 422 adults (222 women, 200 men; age range 18-55, M = 34.44, SD = 10.70). Data were collected with the Mentalization Scale (MentS), the Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI), and the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA). The mediation model was tested with PROCESS Macro v5.0 (Model 4) using 5,000 bootstrap samples, and a sensitivity analysis controlling for age, gender, marital status, and income was also conducted. Higher PSI scores indicate lower perceived problem-solving ability. Results: Mentalization was positively correlated with resilience (r = .27, p < .001) and negatively with PSI scores (r = -.25, p < .001), indicating that individuals with stronger mentalization reported better perceived problem-solving ability. PSI scores were negatively associated with resilience (r = -.39, p < .001). The total association between mentalization and resilience was significant (B = 0.54, p < .001). When problem-solving ability was added, the direct association remained significant but decreased (B = 0.37, p < .001), and the indirect association was significant (B = 0.17, 95% CI [0.08, 0.29]). The model explained 18% of the variance (R² = .18), and the pattern remained stable after demographic adjustment (R² = .197). Discussion: Perceived problem-solving ability partially mediates the association between mentalization and resilience within a cross-sectional statistical model. Intervention programs aimed at strengthening resilience may benefit from addressing both mentalization and problem-solving.
