Examining the mediating role of irrational beliefs in the relationship between self-control and expression of emotions in adults

In this study, the mediating role of irrational beliefs in the relationship between self-control and the level of emotional expression in adults was examined. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 500 adult participants between the ages of 18 and 64. Among the participants, 359 were female and 141 were male.During the data collection process, participants were administered a demographic information form, the Self-Control Scale, the Emotion Expression Scale, and the Short Form of the Irrational Beliefs Scale. In the data analysis process, the distribution characteristics of the variables were first examined; skewness and kurtosis values were calculated to evaluate the normality assumption. To determine the internal consistency levels of the scales, Cronbach's Alpha coefficients were examined. After determining that the variables showed a normal distribution, normality tests were applied, and then independent groups t-test and Pearson product-moment correlation analysis were conducted to evaluate the relationships between the variables. In line with the main objective of the research, Hayes' Process Macro Model 4 method were used to test the mediating role of irrational beliefs. As a result of the analyses conducted, a significant and positive relationship was identified between self-control and the level of emotional expression; it was determined that irrational beliefs partially mediated this relationship. Additionally, a significant difference was observed in terms of irrational beliefs based on the gender variable; it was found that female participants had higher levels of irrational beliefs compared to male participants. However, no significant difference was found in the levels of self-control and emotional expression according to gender. In terms of the education level variable, no significant difference was observed in self-control, emotional expression, and irrational belief scores. The findings obtained from the correlation analyses indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between self-control and emotional expression. The relationship between self-control and irrational beliefs was found to be negative and significant. A weak but significant relationship was found between the expression of emotions and irrational beliefs. The research findings have been discussed and evaluated in light of the relevant literature.