Examining the relationships between cognitive flexibility, metacognitions and psychological flexibility in university students

The general aim of this study is to reveal the relationships between the variables of cognitive flexibility, metacognition and psychological flexibility in university students. Within the scope of this general purpose, firstly, the status of the psychological flexibility variable according to gender and its relationship with age were revealed. Then, the predictive status of cognitive flexibility and metacognition variables on psychological flexibility variable was revealed. The design of the research is the predictive correlational design from the quantitative designs. The study group of the research is 511 students enrolled in preparatory, associate, undergraduate and graduate programs of universities in Türkiye. The study group was reached through easily accessible sampling. Personal Information Form, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 and the psychological flexibility dimension of the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory were used as data collection tools in the study. Data collection tools were applied online by the researcher to the people who volunteered to participate in the research. In the analysis of the data, t-test for unrelated samples, Spearman-Brown correlation analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were used. As a result of the Pearson correlation analysis performed before the data analysis, it was found that there was a negative and low, statistically significant relationship between cognitive flexibility and metacognitions variables; there is a positive and moderate, statistically significant relationship between cognitive flexibility and psychological flexibility variables; it was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between metacognitions and psychological flexibility variables. According to the data analysis results, there was no statistically significant difference in the psychological flexibility variable according to gender; there is a positive and low, statistically significant relationship between the psychological flexibility variable and age; the total scores of cognitive flexibility and metacognitions variables predicted the psychological flexibility variable in a statistically significant way; "alternatives" and "control" sub-dimension scores of cognitive flexibility variable and "cognitive self-consciousness" and "uncontrollability and danger" sub-dimension scores of metacognitions variable statistically significantly predicted psychological flexibility variable, but it was found that "positive beliefs", "cognitive confidence" and "need to control thoughts" sub-dimension scores of the metacognitions variable did not statistically significantly predict the psychological flexibility variable. The findings of the research were examined in the context of the relevant literature. The relationship between psychological flexibility and age may be affected by the sample size; that different types of flexibility may actually be similar structures; It has been discussed that some structures called metacognition may actually be different structures. The research was concluded with suggestions for researchers and practitioners. Keywords: cognitive flexibility, metacognitions, psychological flexibility, metacognition