Analysis of the correlation between cognitive flexibility and psychological resilience in coping with stress

The main aim of the study is to analyse the correlation between cognitive flexibility and psychological resilience in coping with stress. Furthermore, it was analyzed whether cognitive flexibility, psychological resilience and coping with stress differed depending on demographic variables. In the study, cognitive flexibility and psychological resilience were considered as independent variables whereas coping with stress was considered as a dependent variable. The research was conducted with relational screening method. The main purpose of this method is to reveal the existing as its own and determining the correlation between independent and dependent variables. In the research, firstly, the level of cognitive flexibility, psychological resilience and coping strategies were determined and then this method was benefited to define the direction and severity of correlation between the variables and whether they are meaningful or not. The research was conducted with a total of 708 people, including 584 women and 124 men. The universe of the research consists of students enrolled in Sakarya University Faculty of Education in the academic year 2018-2019. The paradigm was specified on the basis of volunteering with the appropriate sampling method from the research population. Convenient paradigm includes groups of people that are appropriate for the study, accessible for education and available. In the study, the data were collected with the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults and Coping with Stress Attitudes Inventory. In addition, Personal Information Form, developed by the researcher, was used to attain data about demographic variables related to the participants. The data were analyzed with the help of the Statistical Package Program. Descriptive statistical techniques, correlation coefficient, t test in independent groups and variance analysis methods were used for data analyses. As a result of these analyses; • Students mainly use methods as active planning, taking refuge in religion and foreign aid seeking to cope with stress, • The cognitive flexibility levels of the participants were above the average, • The level of psychological resilience of the participants was predominantly low, • Cognitive flexibility rises as psychological resilience develops, • Attitudes to cope with stress varies as cognitive flexibility level increases, • The attitudes of male and female participants to cope with stress differs, • Coping with stress varies depending on the age variables, • Accommodation type has an impact on coping with stress, • Birth order is a factor in dealing with stress, • Male participants are superior to female participants in cognitive flexibility whereas female participants surpass male participants in psychological resilience, • As the age rises, both cognitive flexibility and psychological resilience level increase, • Assessing upon the type of accommodation variable, cognitive flexibility was the lowest in the participants staying with the family, • Depending on birth order, cognitive flexibility was found to be the lowest for the kids without siblings. Keywords: Cognitive flexibility, Psychological resilience, Stress, Coping with stress