Recent Innovations in Psychology

Recent Innovations in Psychology

The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility and Students' Expression of Anger: The Mediating Role of Communication Skills

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Abbas Rahmati 1
Azadeh Khajouei Mirzadeh 2
Haniyeh Najmizadeh 3
1 Professor, Department of Psychology, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
2 MSc. in General Psychology, Health and Lifestyle Counseling Center, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
3 BSc. in Psychology, Health and Lifestyle Counseling Center, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
10.22034/rip.2024.472394.1054
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of communication skills in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and anger expression. The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population comprised all students enrolled at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman (Kerman, Iran) during the first semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. A total of 400 students (160 male and 240 female) were selected using the convenience sampling method. The data collection process was undertaken utilizing the Communication Skills Test- Revised (CSTR), the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and the Spielberger ‘s State-trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2). Path analysis method was used to analyze the data. The results demonstrated a negative and statistically significant correlation between cognitive flexibility and anger expression (P<0.01). Additionally, a positive and statistically significant correlation was observed between cognitive flexibility and communication skills (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a negative and statistically significant correlation was identified between communication skills and anger expression (P < 0.01). Conversely, the relationship between cognitive flexibility and anger expression was found to be mediated by communication skills. The findings indicated that communication skills act as a mediator in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and students' anger expression. Consequently, the teaching of communication skills and cognitive flexibility can play an important role in how students' express anger.
Keywords
aggression
cognitive flexibility
communication skills

Subjects

References

Abedian, S., Javadnoori, M., & Maniati, M. (2022). Investigating Iranian Midwifery Students' General and Professional Communication Skills and Their Viewpoints on the Ways of its Improvement using Data Triangulation. Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, 10(3), 3355-3365. https://doi.org/10.22038/jmrh.2022.62614.1778

Ahrari, A., & Shahabizadeh, F. (2020). The Effects of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Anger Management in Cognitive Flexibility: Moderating Role of Perceived Childhood Attachment. Research in Clinical Psychology and Counseling, 9(2), 101-119 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22067/ijap.v9i2.71548

Alborzi, M., Anbari, A., & Khoshbakht, F. (2018). The Role of Social Skills and the Family Emotional Atmosphere in Social Problem Solving: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility. Journal of Educational Psychology Studies, 15(31), 1-34 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22111/jeps.2018.4261

Anjanappa, S., Govindan, R., Munivenkatappa, M., & Bhaskarapillai, B. (2023). Effectiveness of anger management program on anger level, problem solving skills, communication skills, and adjustment among school-going adolescents. Journal of education and health promotion, 12(1), 90. URL: https://journals.lww.com/jehp/fulltext/2023/03310/ 

Ashori, M., & Rashidi, A. (2019). Effectiveness of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Training on Cognitive Flexibility in Deaf Students. Empowering Exceptional Children, 10(2), 250-259 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22034/ceciranj.2019.95994 

Baradaran, M., & Ranjbar Noushari, F. (2021). The Role of Cognitive Flexibility and Attachment Style as Predictors of Student Social Cognition. Social Cognition, 10(19), 135-148 [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.30473/sc.2021.54097.2571

Beames, J. R., O’Dean, S. M., Grisham, J. R., Moulds, M. L., & Denson, T. F. (2019). Anger regulation in interpersonal contexts: Anger experience, aggressive behavior, and cardiovascular reactivity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(5), 1441-1458. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518819295

Bernal-Manrique, K. N., García-Martín, M. B., & Ruiz, F. J. (2020). Effect of acceptance and commitment therapy in improving interpersonal skills in adolescents: A randomized waitlist control trial. Journal of contextual behavioral science, 17, 86-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.06.008

Dennis, J. P., & Vander Wal, J. S. (2010). The cognitive flexibility inventory: Instrument development and estimates of reliability and validity. Cognitive therapy and research, 34, 241-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-009-9276-4

Doorley, J. D., Goodman, F. R., Kelso, K. C., & Kashdan, T. B. (2020). Psychological flexibility: What we know, what we do not know, and what we think we know. Social and personality psychology compass, 14(12), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12566

Gheirati, E., Shabanifar, A., Akhlaghi, M., & Peyman, N. (2016). Relationship Between Communication Skills and Mental Health Among the Students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Journal of School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, 14(3), 61-72 [In Persian]. URL: https://sjsph.tums.ac.ir/article-1-5409-en.html

Hargie, O. (2025). Training in communication skills: research, theory, and practice. In The handbook of communication skills (pp. 681-700). Routledge. URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit

Kara, M., Kara, N. Ş., & Çetin, M. Ç. (2021). The relationship between karate trainers' continuous angry and angry expressions and levels of cognitive flexibility. Uluslararası Bozok Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 2(3), 1-12. URL: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ubosbid/issue/85998/1510115

Keshvari, S., & Barimani, A. (2021). The Relationship Between Social Skills and Perfectionism with the Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Employees of the Ports and Maritime Organization (Case Study: Amirabad Port Special Economic Zone). Journal of Research on Management of Teaching in Marine Sciences, 8(2), 118-130 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22034/rmt.2021.242625

Khodayari-Fard, M., Lavasani, M., Akbari_Zardkhane, S., Liaghat, S. (2010). Psychomertic Properties Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 Among of Iranian Students. Archives of Rehabilitation, 11(1), 47-56 (In Persian).
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-441-en.html

Kohandani, M., & Abolmaali Alhosseini, K. (2017). Factor structure and psychometric properties of Persian version of cognitive flexibility of Dennis, Vander Wal and Jillon. Psychological Models and Methods, 8(29), 53-70 (In Persian). URL: https://jpmm.marvdasht.iau.ir/article_2556.html?lang=en

Lane, S. D. (2016). Interpersonal communication: Competence and contexts. Routledge. URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315506173

Maleki, M., Mohagheghi, H., & Nabizadeh, S. (2019). The role of communication skills based on anger rumination and alexithymia. Journal of Psychology, 23(3), 286-302 [In Persian]. URL: http://iranapsy.ir/en/Article/21613/FullText

Malo, R., Acier, D., & Bulteau, S. (2024). Psychological flexibility: toward a better Understanding of a key concept. Trends in Psychology, 32(3), 734-759.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-022-00188-1

Mohamadi Nilash, F., & Kafie Masouleh, SM. (2023). The Effect of Anger Management Training on Communication Skills and Happiness of Male Students the Sixth Grade of Elementary School in Masal City, Journal of Educational Psychology, 14(3), 24-34 (In Persian). URL: https://journals.iau.ir/article_707819.html

Nakhostin-Khayyat, M., Borjali, M., Zeinali, M., Fardi, D., & Montazeri, A. (2024). The relationship between self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and resilience among students: a structural equation modeling. BMC psychology, 12(1), 337. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01843-1

‏Özdogan, A. Ç., Haspolat, N. K., Çelik, O., & Yalkin, R. Ü. (2021). Reactive-Proactive Aggression and Cognitive Flexibility in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Anger. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International (AJESI), 11(2), 827-851. https://doi.org/10.18039/ajesi.736615

Patel, J., & Patel, P. (2019). Consequences of repression of emotion: Physical health, mental health and general well-being. International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research, 1(3), 16-21. URL: https://www.oap-lifescience.org/ijpr/article/999

Peyman, H., Yaghoobi, M., Sadeghifar, J., Sayemiri, K., Alizadeh, M., Yamani, N, et al. (2012). Assessment of interpersonal communication skill levels in lecturers of Ilam University of medical sciences: A case study. Iranian Journal of Medical Education, 11(9), 1436-1442 (In Persian). URL: http://ijme.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2091-en.html

Pourabdol, S., Roshan, R., Yaghubi, H., & Gholami Fesharaki, M. (2020). The Relationship between Intensity of Anger and its Expression in Competitive Athletes: The Mediating Role of Psychological Inflexibility. Sport Psychology Studies, 9(32), 97-116 (In Persian). URL: https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.23452978.1399.9.32.6.6

Rahmatzadeh, E., & Rezakhani, S. (2020). The prediction of communicational skills based on personality traits and self-concept in female students. Knowledge & Research in Applied Psychology, 21(3), 111-121(In Persian).  https://doi.org/10.30486/jsrp.2020.1869757.1851

Saeedi, E., Sabourimoghadam, H., & Hashemi, T. (2020). Predicting the relationship between emotional intelligence and anger rumination with the aggression of Tabriz university students. Social Psychology Research, 10(38), 65-82 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22034/spr.2020.114691

Saidi, S., Saffarinia, M., & Ahmadian, H. (2020). The Model of Relationship Between Aggression and Social Perspective Taking with Pro-social Behavior through mediator Role Social Trust. Social Psychology Research, 9(36), 1-20 (In Persian). URL: https://www.socialpsychology.ir/article_105539.html?lang=en

Spielberger, C. D. (1999). Sate-trait anger expression Inventory-2: STAXI-2. PAR, Psychological Assessment Ressources.  URL: https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid

Spielberger, C. D., Jacobs, G., Russell, S., & Crane, R. S. (1983). Assessment of anger: The state-trait anger scale. In Advances in personality assessment (pp. 161-189). Routledge. URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/

Spielberger, C.D., Reheiser, E.C. (2010). The Nature and Measurement of Anger. In: Potegal, M., Stemmler, G., Spielberger, C. (eds) International Handbook of Anger. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-89676-2_23

Sukhodolsky, D. G., Smith, S. D., McCauley, S. A., Ibrahim, K., & Piasecka, J. B. (2016). Behavioral interventions for anger, irritability, and aggression in children and adolescents. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology, 26(1), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2015.0120

 

References
Abedian, S., Javadnoori, M., & Maniati, M. (2022). Investigating Iranian Midwifery Students' General and Professional Communication Skills and Their Viewpoints on the Ways of its Improvement using Data Triangulation. Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, 10(3), 3355-3365. https://doi.org/10.22038/jmrh.2022.62614.1778
Ahrari, A., & Shahabizadeh, F. (2020). The Effects of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Anger Management in Cognitive Flexibility: Moderating Role of Perceived Childhood Attachment. Research in Clinical Psychology and Counseling, 9(2), 101-119 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22067/ijap.v9i2.71548
Alborzi, M., Anbari, A., & Khoshbakht, F. (2018). The Role of Social Skills and the Family Emotional Atmosphere in Social Problem Solving: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility. Journal of Educational Psychology Studies, 15(31), 1-34 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22111/jeps.2018.4261
Anjanappa, S., Govindan, R., Munivenkatappa, M., & Bhaskarapillai, B. (2023). Effectiveness of anger management program on anger level, problem solving skills, communication skills, and adjustment among school-going adolescents. Journal of education and health promotion, 12(1), 90. URL: https://journals.lww.com/jehp/fulltext/2023/03310/ 
Ashori, M., & Rashidi, A. (2019). Effectiveness of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Training on Cognitive Flexibility in Deaf Students. Empowering Exceptional Children, 10(2), 250-259 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22034/ceciranj.2019.95994 
Baradaran, M., & Ranjbar Noushari, F. (2021). The Role of Cognitive Flexibility and Attachment Style as Predictors of Student Social Cognition. Social Cognition, 10(19), 135-148 [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.30473/sc.2021.54097.2571
Beames, J. R., O’Dean, S. M., Grisham, J. R., Moulds, M. L., & Denson, T. F. (2019). Anger regulation in interpersonal contexts: Anger experience, aggressive behavior, and cardiovascular reactivity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(5), 1441-1458. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518819295
Bernal-Manrique, K. N., García-Martín, M. B., & Ruiz, F. J. (2020). Effect of acceptance and commitment therapy in improving interpersonal skills in adolescents: A randomized waitlist control trial. Journal of contextual behavioral science, 17, 86-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.06.008
Dennis, J. P., & Vander Wal, J. S. (2010). The cognitive flexibility inventory: Instrument development and estimates of reliability and validity. Cognitive therapy and research, 34, 241-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-009-9276-4
Doorley, J. D., Goodman, F. R., Kelso, K. C., & Kashdan, T. B. (2020). Psychological flexibility: What we know, what we do not know, and what we think we know. Social and personality psychology compass, 14(12), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12566
Gheirati, E., Shabanifar, A., Akhlaghi, M., & Peyman, N. (2016). Relationship Between Communication Skills and Mental Health Among the Students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Journal of School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, 14(3), 61-72 [In Persian]. URL: https://sjsph.tums.ac.ir/article-1-5409-en.html
Hargie, O. (2025). Training in communication skills: research, theory, and practice. In The handbook of communication skills (pp. 681-700). Routledge. URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit
Kara, M., Kara, N. Ş., & Çetin, M. Ç. (2021). The relationship between karate trainers' continuous angry and angry expressions and levels of cognitive flexibility. Uluslararası Bozok Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 2(3), 1-12. URL: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ubosbid/issue/85998/1510115
Keshvari, S., & Barimani, A. (2021). The Relationship Between Social Skills and Perfectionism with the Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in Employees of the Ports and Maritime Organization (Case Study: Amirabad Port Special Economic Zone). Journal of Research on Management of Teaching in Marine Sciences, 8(2), 118-130 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22034/rmt.2021.242625
Khodayari-Fard, M., Lavasani, M., Akbari_Zardkhane, S., Liaghat, S. (2010). Psychomertic Properties Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 Among of Iranian Students. Archives of Rehabilitation, 11(1), 47-56 (In Persian).
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-441-en.html
Kohandani, M., & Abolmaali Alhosseini, K. (2017). Factor structure and psychometric properties of Persian version of cognitive flexibility of Dennis, Vander Wal and Jillon. Psychological Models and Methods, 8(29), 53-70 (In Persian). URL: https://jpmm.marvdasht.iau.ir/article_2556.html?lang=en
Lane, S. D. (2016). Interpersonal communication: Competence and contexts. Routledge. URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315506173
Maleki, M., Mohagheghi, H., & Nabizadeh, S. (2019). The role of communication skills based on anger rumination and alexithymia. Journal of Psychology, 23(3), 286-302 [In Persian]. URL: http://iranapsy.ir/en/Article/21613/FullText
Malo, R., Acier, D., & Bulteau, S. (2024). Psychological flexibility: toward a better Understanding of a key concept. Trends in Psychology, 32(3), 734-759.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-022-00188-1
Mohamadi Nilash, F., & Kafie Masouleh, SM. (2023). The Effect of Anger Management Training on Communication Skills and Happiness of Male Students the Sixth Grade of Elementary School in Masal City, Journal of Educational Psychology, 14(3), 24-34 (In Persian). URL: https://journals.iau.ir/article_707819.html
Nakhostin-Khayyat, M., Borjali, M., Zeinali, M., Fardi, D., & Montazeri, A. (2024). The relationship between self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and resilience among students: a structural equation modeling. BMC psychology, 12(1), 337. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01843-1
‏Özdogan, A. Ç., Haspolat, N. K., Çelik, O., & Yalkin, R. Ü. (2021). Reactive-Proactive Aggression and Cognitive Flexibility in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Anger. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International (AJESI), 11(2), 827-851. https://doi.org/10.18039/ajesi.736615
Patel, J., & Patel, P. (2019). Consequences of repression of emotion: Physical health, mental health and general well-being. International Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research, 1(3), 16-21. URL: https://www.oap-lifescience.org/ijpr/article/999
Peyman, H., Yaghoobi, M., Sadeghifar, J., Sayemiri, K., Alizadeh, M., Yamani, N, et al. (2012). Assessment of interpersonal communication skill levels in lecturers of Ilam University of medical sciences: A case study. Iranian Journal of Medical Education, 11(9), 1436-1442 (In Persian). URL: http://ijme.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2091-en.html
Pourabdol, S., Roshan, R., Yaghubi, H., & Gholami Fesharaki, M. (2020). The Relationship between Intensity of Anger and its Expression in Competitive Athletes: The Mediating Role of Psychological Inflexibility. Sport Psychology Studies, 9(32), 97-116 (In Persian). URL: https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.23452978.1399.9.32.6.6
Rahmatzadeh, E., & Rezakhani, S. (2020). The prediction of communicational skills based on personality traits and self-concept in female students. Knowledge & Research in Applied Psychology, 21(3), 111-121(In Persian).  https://doi.org/10.30486/jsrp.2020.1869757.1851
Saeedi, E., Sabourimoghadam, H., & Hashemi, T. (2020). Predicting the relationship between emotional intelligence and anger rumination with the aggression of Tabriz university students. Social Psychology Research, 10(38), 65-82 (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22034/spr.2020.114691
Saidi, S., Saffarinia, M., & Ahmadian, H. (2020). The Model of Relationship Between Aggression and Social Perspective Taking with Pro-social Behavior through mediator Role Social Trust. Social Psychology Research, 9(36), 1-20 (In Persian). URL: https://www.socialpsychology.ir/article_105539.html?lang=en
Spielberger, C. D. (1999). Sate-trait anger expression Inventory-2: STAXI-2. PAR, Psychological Assessment Ressources.  URL: https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid
Spielberger, C. D., Jacobs, G., Russell, S., & Crane, R. S. (1983). Assessment of anger: The state-trait anger scale. In Advances in personality assessment (pp. 161-189). Routledge. URL: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/
Spielberger, C.D., Reheiser, E.C. (2010). The Nature and Measurement of Anger. In: Potegal, M., Stemmler, G., Spielberger, C. (eds) International Handbook of Anger. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-89676-2_23
Sukhodolsky, D. G., Smith, S. D., McCauley, S. A., Ibrahim, K., & Piasecka, J. B. (2016). Behavioral interventions for anger, irritability, and aggression in children and adolescents. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology, 26(1), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2015.0120
 
Recent Innovations in Psychology
Volume 2, Issue 2 - Serial Number 6
Spring 2025
Pages 95-108

  • Receive Date 08 August 2024
  • Revise Date 01 September 2024
  • Accept Date 04 September 2024
  • First Publish Date 06 December 2024