Development of a Model of Feeling the Meaning of Life Based on the Schema of Defects and Shame and Identity Styles with the Mediation of Self-Acceptance in Students: A Descriptive Study

Background and Objectives: Paying attention to creating a purpose in life, the meaning of life, and the attitude toward life, all of which shape a person's future, is particularly important during the youth ages, and various factors are influential.The purpose of the present study was to investigate the development of a model of feeling the meaning of life based on the schema of defects and shame and identity styles with the mediation of self-acceptance. Materials and Methods:In the present descriptive correlational study, carried out using the structural equation modeling method, the statistical population included all students studying at the Islamic Azad University of Torbat-e-Jam Branch in the academic year of 2023-2024, of whom 265 people were selected by the convenience sampling method.Participants completed Assessing the Meaning of Life (Steger et al.), Schema (Young), Identity Styles (Berzonsky), and Unconditional Self-Acceptance (Chamberlain & Haaga)Questionnaires.Data analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling. Results:The results showed that according to the predicted paths in the model, meaning of life is directly and significantly affected by normative identity style (=-0.186),defect and shame schema (=-0.137),and self-acceptance (=0.207)(p<0.05).Moreover, the indirect path of all identity styles and the schema of defect and shame through self-acceptance on the sense of meaning in the lives of the youth is significant (p<0.05). Conclusion:The present study showed that if the youth have acquired their own identity style and do not have a schema of defect and shame, or if they do, they seek to correct it, it can overall lead to a better self-acceptance and ultimately give a sense of meaning to their lives.