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

Keywords:

Psychological Resilience, Mentalizing, Epistemic Trust, Cognitive Flexibility, Cognitive Emotion Regulation, Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to test a path model of psychological resilience based on mentalizing, epistemic trust, and cognitive flexibility, with adaptive cognitive emotion regulation as a mediating mechanism among adolescents.

Methods and Materials: This quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational study employed path analysis. The statistical population comprised senior high school students in grades 10–12 in Tehran during the 2025–2026 academic year. Using multistage cluster sampling, 415 adolescents aged 15–18 years were included in the final sample. Data were collected using the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Reflective Functioning Questionnaire, Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity Questionnaire, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, and the short-form Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 28 and AMOS 28. Maximum likelihood estimation was applied to evaluate direct and indirect pathways, while mediation effects were examined using bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples and 95% bias-corrected confidence intervals.

Findings: The proposed path model demonstrated excellent fit (χ²/df = 1.86, CFI = .991, TLI = .982, RMSEA = .045, SRMR = .028). Mentalizing (β = .28, p < .001), epistemic trust (β = .21, p < .001), and cognitive flexibility (β = .33, p < .001) significantly predicted adaptive cognitive emotion regulation, explaining 42% of its variance. Psychological resilience was significantly predicted by mentalizing (β = .16, p < .001), epistemic trust (β = .12, p = .010), cognitive flexibility (β = .24, p < .001), and adaptive cognitive emotion regulation (β = .36, p < .001), with the model explaining 54% of resilience variance. Bootstrapping further indicated significant indirect effects of mentalizing (β = .101, 95% CI [.062, .153], p = .001), epistemic trust (β = .075, 95% CI [.041, .120], p = .003), and cognitive flexibility (β = .118, 95% CI [.078, .179], p = .001) on resilience through adaptive cognitive emotion regulation.

Conclusion: Psychological resilience in adolescents appears to arise from the coordinated contribution of socio-cognitive and neurocognitive capacities, with adaptive cognitive emotion regulation functioning as a significant partial mediator. Strengthening mentalizing, epistemic trust, cognitive flexibility, and adaptive emotion regulation may therefore provide an integrated framework for psychological and educational interventions designed to promote resilient functioning during adolescence.

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