Mediating role of emotion regulation processes in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and intolerance to uncertainty

Abstract

This study aims to examine whether emotional regulation processes play a mediating role in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and intolerance to uncertainty among university students. The sample consisted of 378 participants aged from 18 to 45 years. Data were obtained using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), and Emotion Regulation Processes Scale (ERPS). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. According to the results obtained from the research, emotion regulation processes have a partial mediating role in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and intolerance to uncertainty. The bootstrapping process also provided additional evidence that this partial mediation was significant. As a result, low cognitive flexibility negatively affects emotion regulation processes, resulting in low tolerance for uncertain situations.