Investigating the Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Psychological Distress in Students and the Mediating Role of Emotional Incompetence among Students of Tabriz University

Introduction: Perceived social support and alexithymia are among the most important factors associated with psychological distress in students. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between perceived social support and psychological distress in students and the mediating role of alexithymia in Tabriz University students. Methods: The research method was fundamental and descriptive-correlational path analysis. The statistical population included students of both genders, all majors, and all levels of education at Tabriz University in 2023, from which 203 individuals were randomly selected. Data collection tools included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale(1994), the Lovibond and Lovibond Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Scale(1995), and the Zimet Perceived Social Support Questionnaire(1998). For data analysis in the descriptive section, central tendency and dispersion indices were examined using SPSS version 26 software, and path analysis with Amos software was employed to test the hypotheses. Findings: The direct effect of perceived social support on emotional alexithymia was negative(P<0/001), and the direct effect of emotional alexithymia on psychological distress was positive and significant(P<0/001). However, the direct effect of perceived social support on psychological distress was not significant(P>0/190). Additionally, the indirect effect of perceived social support on psychological distress through emotional alexithymia was negative and significant(P<0/001). Conclusion: The results of this study show that emotional alexithymia acts as an important mediator with a negative effect between perceived social support and psychological distress in students. It is suggested that strengthening support networks and providing training in communication skills should be carried out to reduce emotional alexithymia in students. Furthermore, holding training courses in university environments can help improve mental health and reduce psychological distress.