Predicting Mental Health During Crisis Conditions Based on Psychological Resilience, Cognitive Flexibility, and Social Support
Keywords:
Mental Health, Psychological Resilience, Cognitive Flexibility, Social Support, Crisis Conditions, Psychological Well-BeingAbstract
The present study aimed to predict mental health during crisis conditions based on psychological resilience, cognitive flexibility, and perceived social support among adults living in Tehran. The present research was conducted using a descriptive-correlational design with a predictive approach. The statistical population consisted of adults residing in Tehran in 2026, from whom 320 participants were selected using multistage cluster random sampling. Data collection was carried out using the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-28), Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). After confirming the assumptions of normality and multicollinearity, data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and simultaneous multiple regression analysis in SPSS-27. The findings demonstrated that psychological resilience, cognitive flexibility, and perceived social support were positively and significantly associated with mental health (p < 0.01). Psychological resilience showed the strongest correlation with mental health (r = 0.64), followed by cognitive flexibility (r = 0.58) and social support (r = 0.49). The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that the predictor variables jointly explained 58% of the variance in mental health (R² = 0.58, F = 145.62, p < 0.001). Among the predictor variables, psychological resilience had the strongest predictive effect on mental health (β = 0.45), followed by cognitive flexibility (β = 0.34) and perceived social support (β = 0.22). These findings indicated that individuals with greater adaptive psychological resources and stronger interpersonal support experienced better mental health during crisis conditions. The findings of the present study emphasize the important role of psychological resilience, cognitive flexibility, and social support in maintaining mental health during crisis conditions. Individuals who possess stronger emotional adaptability, flexible cognitive functioning, and supportive social relationships are more capable of coping effectively with stressful and uncertain situations. Therefore, mental health interventions during crises should focus on strengthening resilience, improving adaptive cognitive skills, and enhancing supportive social networks to reduce psychological vulnerability and promote psychological well-being.
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