Cognitive Flexibility and Perceived Social Support as Predictors of University Students' Stress Levels in the COVID-19 Pandemic

The study aims to examine the relationship between cognitive flexibility, perceived social support and stress in the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 319 university students, of which 68% were female and 32% were male. “Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale”, “Cognitive Flexibility Inventory”, “Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support”, and “Demographic Information Form” were used in data collection. The Pearson moment-product correlation analysis, one-way ANOVA, and hierarchical regression analysis were performed. The results of the study showed that the stress levels of the participants differ significantly according to the decrease in financial income they experienced during the pandemic. Stress level showed a negative correlation with age, perceived social support, and cognitive flexibility. In addition, hierarchical regression analysis showed that when age, the decrease in financial income, the negative impact of the pandemic on education were controlled, perceived social support and cognitive flexibility predicted stress level significantly. The study revealed that as cognitive flexibility and the perceived social support increase, the level of stress decreases. Consequently, studies on how to increase perceived social support and develop cognitive flexibility skills may contribute to eliminating the stress brought about by COVID-19 or reducing its negative effects.