Path Analysis of Psychological Resilience Based on Mentalizing, Epistemic Trust, and Cognitive Flexibility with the Mediating Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Adolescents

Maryam Salar; Shima  Darang; Bahar  Jamali; Malake  Jahangiri; Fakhri Sadat  Hosseini

Authors

Maryam Salar Department of Clinical Psychology, Am.C., Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3494-0879
Shima Darang Department of Psychology, Yas.C., Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7325-3113
Bahar Jamali Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2449-4354
Malake Jahangiri Department of Clinical Psychology, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3067-1858
Fakhri Sadat Hosseini Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Physical Education and Behavioral Sciences, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9839-1449

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical developmental period necessitating robust psychological resilience to navigate complex social and emotional challenges. This study aimed to formulate and empirically test a comprehensive structural model examining the mediating role of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation in the relationship between socio-cognitive capacities (mentalizing and epistemic trust), neurocognitive mechanisms (cognitive flexibility), and psychological resilience among adolescents. Employing a cross-sectional design, a sample of 385 Tehran’s adolescents (52% female; Mage = 15.4 years) completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing reflective functioning, epistemic trust, cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation strategies, and resilience. Path analysis was utilized to evaluate the hypothesized direct and indirect pathways within the proposed structural model. The findings robustly supported the hypothesized model, demonstrating excellent fit indices (χ²/df = 1.85, CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.047, SRMR = 0.038). Mentalizing (β = 0.28, p < 0.01), epistemic trust (β = 0.24, p < 0.01), and cognitive flexibility (β = 0.31, p < 0.01) exerted significant direct effects on psychological resilience. Moreover, adaptive cognitive emotion regulation emerged as a significant mediator in these pathways. The overall structural model accounted for 48% of the total variance in psychological resilience (R² = 0.48). Adolescents with stronger abilities to understand mental states, healthier trust in social knowledge, and greater cognitive shifting capabilities were more likely to utilize adaptive emotion regulation strategies, which in turn significantly elevated their resilience against adversity. This study advances the field of developmental psychopathology by integrating socio-cognitive and neurocognitive paradigms into a unified framework of resilience. The results highlight that resilience is a dynamic outcome dependent on the synergistic interplay of mentalizing, epistemic trust, and cognitive flexibility. Consequently, psychological and educational interventions should proactively target the cultivation of these foundational capacities to enhance emotion regulation and foster lifelong psychological well-being in youth.