The moderating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and career adaptability in university students

This study examined the effect of cognitive flexibility on career adaptability among university students and evaluated the moderating role of psychological resilience in this relationship. Additionally, the study investigated differences in the variables based on demographic factors such as gender, age, educational level, and socioeconomic status. The study was conducted with a total of 553 university students, including 391 females and 162 males. Data were collected using the Cognitive Flexibility Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, and Career Adapt-Abilities Scale – Short Form. Data analyses included Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), correlation analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), and group difference tests. The results indicated a positive and significant effect of cognitive flexibility on career adaptability. Furthermore, psychological resilience was found to moderate this relationship, such that higher levels of resilience strengthened the effect of cognitive flexibility on career adaptability. Among the demographic variables, gender and socioeconomic status showed significant differences in certain sub-dimensions, whereas no significant differences were found based on age and educational level.