Emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, and adaptive functioning have been found to be interrelated. This study examined whether emotion... Show moreEmotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, and adaptive functioning have been found to be interrelated. This study examined whether emotion regulation mediates the relationship between cognitive flexibility and adaptive functioning using the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale, Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test, and Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised, respectively. Forty-three participants were recruited from New Directions for Young Adults, a transitional independent living facility in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Thirty-one participants (72.1%) were male and age ranged from 18 and 43 years (mean (SD) = 22.6 (5.0)). The mean (SD) time spent at the facility at the time of assessment was 18.3 (26.8) months. Emotion regulation did not significantly mediate the relationship between cognitive flexibility and adaptive functioning, including when controlling for age, gender, and time at facility. Controlling for gender and time at facility resulted in a significant total effect of cognitive flexibility on adaptive functioning. The Awareness aspect of emotion regulation, was significantly correlated with both cognitive flexibility and adaptive functioning; however, it did not significantly mediate their relationship. Several explanations for these findings are evaluated in the context of the relationships among these constructs, and of the population studied. M.S. in Psychology, December 2016 Show less
