Developing a Model of Psychological Flexibility in Students Based on Academic Resilience: The Mediating Role of Sense of Coherence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 M.A. student in career counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

3 M.A. student in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Borujard Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujard, Iran.

4 M.A of Human Resources Management, Department of Public Administration and Human Resources Development, Aras International Campus, University of Tehran,

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a model of psychological flexibility in high school students based on academic resilience, with sense of coherence as a mediating variable. A descriptive correlational design utilizing structural equation modeling was employed, involving 350 secondary school students from Khorramabad, Iran, in the 2023–2024 academic year, selected through cluster random sampling. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (short version), and the Academic Resilience Scale. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS26 and AMOS24. The findings revealed significant direct effects of academic resilience (β=0.31, p<0.001) and sense of coherence (β=0.51, p<0.001) on psychological flexibility, as well as a direct effect of academic resilience on sense of coherence (β=0.56, p<0.001). Additionally, sense of coherence partially mediated the relationship between academic resilience and psychological flexibility (indirect effect=0.28, p<0.001), with academic resilience explaining 32% of the variance in sense of coherence and, together with sense of coherence, accounting for 52% of the variance in psychological flexibility. These results suggest that fostering academic resilience and sense of coherence can significantly enhance students’ psychological flexibility, providing a foundation for designing educational and psychological interventions to improve mental health and academic performance.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Cognitive Science Research
Volume 1, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 53-62

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 15 May 2025
  • Accept Date: 07 June 2025
  • First Publish Date: 01 July 2025
  • Publish Date: 01 July 2025

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