The Relationship Between Big Five Personality Traits and Cognitive Flexibility: The Mediating Role of Positive and Negative Affect

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of positive and negative affect in the relationship between Big Five personality traits and cognitive flexibility among university students. This research employed a descriptive-correlational design using path analysis. The statistical population consisted of students from the University of Tabriz in the 2025 academic year. A total of 321 participants were selected through multistage cluster sampling, and after data screening, 316 cases were included in the final analysis. Data collection instruments included the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 and AMOS-24 through path analysis and bootstrap procedures. Results indicated that extraversion, openness to experience, and neuroticism had significant positive effects, while agreeableness had a significant negative effect on cognitive flexibility (p<0.05). Positive affect showed a significant positive effect, whereas negative affect showed a significant negative effect on cognitive flexibility. Mediation analysis revealed that positive affect significantly mediated the relationship between extraversion and cognitive flexibility. Additionally, negative affect significantly mediated the relationships between neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness with cognitive flexibility (p<0.05). Model fit indices confirmed an acceptable structural model fit. The findings suggest that personality traits influence cognitive flexibility through distinct emotional pathways, with positive and negative affect functioning as key mediating mechanisms.