How Does Cognitive Flexibility Associate with Depressive Symptoms? A Multiple Mediation Model Including Emotion Dysregulation and Problem-Solving

Year 2022, Volume: 6 Issue: 11, 23 - 37, 30.06.2022

Servet Kaçar Başaran Ceren Gökdağ Zeynep Erdoğan Yıldırım

https://doi.org/10.31461/ybpd.1110174

Abstract

According to the cognitive-behavioral model of depression, inflexibility in thought processes increases symptoms by causing more negative emotions and behavioral problems. Previous studies have empirically shown that cognitive flexibility is negatively associated with difficulties in emotion regulation, inadequate problem-solving, and depressive symptoms. However, no research includes these variables together to the best of our knowledge. We aimed to clarify the relationships between these variables and test the mediating effect of emotion dysregulation and problem-solving between cognitive flexibility and depressive symptoms via multiple mediation analysis. 275 undergraduate students participated in this study. We used a self-report battery including the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Problem Solving Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory to collect the data. We tested the hypotheses via Pearson correlation analysis and multiple mediation analysis. According to the results, higher levels of cognitive flexibility were significantly associated with lower depression, inadequate problem solving, and emotion dysregulation. Moreover, emotion dysregulation has a mediating role in the relationships between depressive symptoms and cognitive flexibility. Inadequate problem-solving, however, was not a significant mediator. Consisted with previous findings, our results supported the importance of cognitive flexibility and emotion dysregulation for depression. Our study demonstrated the pathways of these variables. Also, results indicated that different therapy approaches that address cognitive flexibility and emotion regulation (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and emotion-focused therapy) might effectively reduce depressive symptoms.

Keywords

Depression, Flexibility, Cognitive flexibility, Emotion dysregulation, Problem-solving

Supporting Institution

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Project Number

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Thanks

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Bilişsel Esneklik, Depresif Belirtilerle Nasıl İlişkilendirilir? Duygu Düzenleme Güçlüğü ve Problem Çözmeyi İçeren Çoklu Bir Aracılık Modeli

Abstract

Depresyonun bilişsel-davranışçı modeline göre, düşünce süreçlerindeki katılık, olumsuz duyguların ve davranışsal sorunların artmasını tetiklemekte ve depresif belirtilerin artışına neden olmaktadır. Önceki çalışmalar ampirik olarak bilişsel esnekliğin duygu düzenlemedeki güçlükler, yetersiz problem çözme becerisi ve depresif belirtilerle negatif yönde ilişkili olduğunu göstermiştir. Alanyazında bu değişkenleri birlikte inceleyen bir araştırma bulunmadığından, bu araştırma bu değişkenler arasındaki ilişkileri incelemeyi ve duygu düzenleme ve problem çözmenin bilişsel esneklik ile depresif belirtiler arasındaki aracılık etkisini çoklu aracılık modeli ile test etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. 275 lisans öğrencisinin yer aldığı araştırmada; veri toplama araçları olarak, Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri, Duygu Düzenlemede Güçlükler Ölçeği, Problem Çözme Envanteri ve Beck Depresyon Envanteri kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlara göre, daha yüksek bilişsel esneklik seviyeleri, daha düşük depresyon, yetersiz problem çözme ve duygu düzenleme güçlüğü ile anlamlı şekilde ilişkili bulunmuştur. Ayrıca bilişsel esneklik ile depresif belirtiler arasındaki ilişkide duygu düzenleme güçlüğünün aracılık etkisi de anlamlıdır. Ancak yetersiz problem çözmenin, bu ilişkide anlamlı bir aracı rolünün olmadığı saptanmıştır. Önceki bulgularla uyumlu olarak mevcut araştırmanın bulguları, duygu düzenleme güçlüğünün ve bilişsel esnekliğin depresif belirtilerin ortaya çıkışındaki önemini desteklemektedir. Ayrıca sonuçlar, bilişsel esneklik ve duygu düzenlemeyi ele alan farklı terapi yaklaşımlarının (örneğin, bilişsel-davranışçı terapi, kabul ve kararlılık terapisi ve duygu odaklı terapi) depresif belirtileri etkili bir şekilde azaltabileceğine yönelik kanıtlar da sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Depresyon, Esneklik, Bilişsel esneklik, Duygu düzenleme güçlüğü, Problem çözme

Project Number

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