Investigating the mediating role of cognitive flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty in the relationship between perfectionism and resilience

Abstract

This research explores whether cognitive flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty function as intermediary mechanisms in the association between perfectionism and resilience. The participant group in this study comprised 424 undergraduate students (302 women, 122 men) pursuing education across various departments within the Faculties of Education, Economics and Administrative Sciences, and Engineering at a public university. The data collected in the study were evaluated through Pearson Correlation and Bootstrap analyses. The study revealed a significant negative relationship between perfectionism and resilience. Additionally, a noteworthy inverse linkage was identified between perfectionism and cognitive flexibility. In addition, a significant positive link was identified between perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty. In addition, resilience exhibited a meaningful positive correlation with cognitive flexibility, whereas it was inversely associated with intolerance of uncertainty. The analysis further revealed that cognitive flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty were complete mediators in the relationship between perfectionism and resilience.