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The Relationship between Effortful Control and Vengeful Tendency in Adolescents: The Mediating role of Empathy
Sara Taravian1 , Fariborz Nikdel *2 , Ali Taghvaei nia1
1- University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran
2- University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran , fnikdel@yu.ac.ir
Abstract:   (235 Views)
The vengeful tendency refers to the inclination to retaliate against perceived harm or injustice. This inclination can stem from strong emotions such as anger and resentment. The consequences of a vengeful tendency include creating a cycle of violence and animosity that can damage personal and social relationships, leading to increased tensions and conflicts. Additionally, focusing on revenge can hinder the healing and rebuilding of relationships and the establishment of peace and harmony in society. The purpose of this research was to investigate the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between effortful control and vengeful tendency in adolescents in Shiraz. The research method was descriptive, utilizing structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all high school students. From this population, a sample of 567 individuals was selected using a cluster random sampling method. The Effortful Control Scale (Ellis & Rothbart, 2001), the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (Spreng et al., 2009), and the Vengeful Tendency Scale (Flores-Camacho et al., 2022) were distributed among the participants. The proposed model was evaluated using path analysis with the help of SPSS-24 and AMOS-24 software. The findings revealed that the proposed model had a good fit with the data. Results indicated that the path effect of effortful control on empathy and empathy on vengeful tendency was significant. However, the path effect of effortful control on vengeful tendency was not significant. Another finding of the research showed that empathy has a mediating role in the relationship between effortful control and vengeful tendency. Therefore, increasing empathy levels is associated with a decrease in the likelihood of revenge-seeking behavior. These results emphasize the importance of cultivating empathy skills alongside other social skills such as effortful control. Fostering empathy can significantly contribute to improving interpersonal relationships, reducing harmful behaviors, and promoting mental health in society.
Keywords: Adolescents, Effortful control, Empathy, Vengeful tendency
     
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2024/09/15 | Revised: 2025/05/24 | Accepted: 2025/03/11 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/05/24
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