This study has aimed to investigate the mediating role of the object relations and defense mechanisms in relation between family function and percived mental health. relations. General health questioner, family assessment device, Bell's object relation inventory and defense style questionnaire were administrated on a sample of 300 students (195 girls and 105 boys). Participants were selected, using multi-stage cluster sampling, from Khayyam University. Data were studied through path analysis method. Results indicated that object relations and mature defense mechanisms of ego played a mediating role in relation between family function and mental health. However, the immature and neurotic mechanisms of ego did not have a mediating role. Being compatible with object relation theory, this research revealed that family functions enhance mental health through affecting object relation and defense mechanisms.
