الهام زادفلاح چوبری

Middle-aged single women, as a growing demographic group, face unique psychological and social challenges. Identifying factors that influence psychological well-being and effectiveness in this population is therefore essential. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between self-compassion and self-efficacy, with metacognition as a mediating variable, in single women aged 40 to 65 years. This study employed a descriptive–correlational design within the framework of developmental research. Data were collected in 2025 from 225 middle-aged single women residing in Tehran using convenience sampling. The instruments included the Self-Compassion Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Metacognitions Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling with SPSS version 26 and LISREL version 8. After confirming the measurement model, structural modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect relationships among the variables. The findings indicated that self-compassion was positively and significantly related to both metacognition and self-efficacy. In addition, metacognition significantly predicted self-efficacy, and its mediating role in the relationship between self-compassion and self-efficacy was confirmed ( p < 0.01). Self-compassion may contribute to enhanced resilience and a greater sense of competence—and, consequently, higher self-efficacy—by improving mindfulness as a component of metacognition. The results underscore the importance of cognitive and personality factors, particularly metacognition and self-compassion, in the design of psychological interventions to enhance self-efficacy among middle-aged single women.