Recent Innovations in Psychology

Recent Innovations in Psychology

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility in the Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents: A Gender Invariance Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maedeh Kermani 1
Saeed Imani 2
1 MSc. Student in Rehabilitation Counseling, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/rip.2025.514124.1092
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between internet addiction and anxiety and depression in adolescents, as well as to assess gender invariance. In a correlational design, 377 adolescents aged 12–18 residing in Tehran (a city in Iran) were selected via convenience sampling in August 2024 and completed the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS). A multi-group analysis using the partial least squares approach (PLS-MGA) revealed that the indirect effect of internet addiction on anxiety through cognitive flexibility was significant (P < 0.05), while its effect on depression was non-significant (P > 0.05). In both girls and boys, the indirect effects of internet addiction on anxiety and depression through cognitive flexibility were non-significant (P > 0.05), with no significant gender differences observed (P > 0.05). It appears that cognitive flexibility may explain the quality of the impact of internet addiction on anxiety and depression. Accordingly, counselors and therapists are recommended to focus on enhancing cognitive flexibility.
Keywords
anxiety
cognitive flexibility
depression
internet addiction
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  • Receive Date 26 February 2025
  • Revise Date 26 March 2025
  • Accept Date 30 March 2025
  • First Publish Date 01 April 2025