Examining the relationship between cognitive flexibility and happiness: The sequential mediating role of time management and hope

While recent studies have explored the connections between cognitive flexibility and happiness, the involvement of mediating factors between these variables remains unclear. In our country's research, cognitive flexibility has been alternatively viewed as both a mediator and an outcome variable. This study aims to investigate the mediating roles of time management and hope in the correlation between cognitive flexibility and happiness. To achieve this goal, the study employed the "Cognitive Flexibility Inventory," "Trait Hope Scale," "Leisure Management Scale," and "Oxford Happiness Scale-Short Form.". Three studies were conducted over two different academic years on a sample of university students. A total of 542 people participated in the research, 100 in the pilot study, where data were collected online, 334 in the main study, where data were collected face-to face and 108 in the experimantal study, where data were also collected faceto-face. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 and Jamovi programs. Initially, the scales' reliability was assessed, followed by correlation analyzes to determine the relationships among the variables. The Hayes PROCESS Macro 6 was employed to depict the model and ascertain the mediating roles of the variables. The experimental study, which had a 2x2 factorial design, was analyzed using the ANOVA method. The study's findings revealed a sequential mediating role of time management and hope in the correlation between cognitive flexibility and happiness. Furthermore, the research indicated no significant differences in happiness, the dependent variable, concerning gender and age variables. According to the results of the first experimental study, it was found that flexibility negatively affects though production, time management, hope, and happiness. In the second experimental study, it was concluded that flexibility did not significantly affect the participants` time management, hope, and happiness levels. These findings were thoroughly discussed in relation to existing literature, providing additional insights into the subject matter.