اعظم ضربی

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of meaning in life in the relationship between character strengths and rejection sensitivity in individuals with physical-motor disabilities. This was an applied study employing a correlational method and structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all individuals with physical-motor disabilities residing in Mashhad in 2023, whose disability was confirmed by experts from the Welfare Organization. Using convenience sampling and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, initially 350 eligible individuals were selected. After removing incomplete and outlier data, information from 330 individuals was analyzable. Research instruments included the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) to assess character strengths, the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling via SPSS and Amos software (version 23). Results indicated that character strengths had a significant negative direct effect on rejection sensitivity (β = -0.43, p < 0.001) and a significant positive direct effect on meaning in life (β = 0.67, p < 0.001). Meaning in life also had a significant negative direct effect on rejection sensitivity (β = -0.36, p < 0.001). Analysis of indirect coefficients showed that meaning in life played a significant mediating role in the relationship between character strengths and rejection sensitivity. These results indicate that individuals with higher levels of meaning in life experience lower rejection sensitivity, and their character strengths help reduce rejection sensitivity through enhancing meaning in life.