The Impact of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress on Cognitive Conflict in University Students

Abstract

Despite extensive research on cognitive conflict, the specific link between cognitive conflict and depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) remains underexplored, particularly among non-clinical young adults. Therefore, we investigated the impact of DAS on cognitive conflict in university students and their potential association with cognitive conflict. The sample comprised 393 university students aged 18–25 years. Participants were grouped into high and low DAS groups based on their Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) scores. Cognitive conflict was assessed using a computerized Stroop task. The results indicated that the low DAS group showed significantly greater accuracy on incongruent (conflict) trials than the high DAS group. However, no significant difference was observed in reaction time. Correlation analysis suggested that higher levels of DAS were associated with lower accuracy on incongruent trials. The study highlights the crucial role of DAS symptoms on cognitive conflict and decision-making processes in young adults; however, it does not establish causal mechanisms. The results have significant implications for designing educational and mental health interventions aimed at improving cognitive flexibility and goal-directed behavior in the young population.