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

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.