Pathways to Intimacy: The Direct and Indirect Effects of Cognitive Flexibility and Emotion Dysregulation

Cognitive flexibility refers to a person's awareness of and ability to shift between alternative options in a particular situation. It is a known marker of resiliency and may be a particularly relevant factor influencing emotional intimacy in relationship functioning. Although cognitive flexibility has been negatively associated with infidelity and intimate partner violence, it has not been examined as a predictor of relationship functioning more broadly. Cognitive flexibility has also been associated with emotion dysregulation, which has been negatively related to emotional intimacy. The present study sought to examine the direct and indirect effects of cognitive flexibility on emotional intimacy through emotion dysregulation and further examine which subcomponents of emotion dysregulation may best characterize pathways. Participants (N = 528, M-age = 19.92, 54.5% White; 84% cisgender female) were students at a large Southeastern University who completed self-report questionnaires assessing cognitive flexibility, emotion dysregulation, and emotional intimacy. Results suggest there are significant direct effects of cognitive flexibility on emotional intimacy and indirect effects of cognitive flexibility on emotional intimacy through emotion dysregulation. Lack of access to emotion regulation strategies appeared to be the primary pathway through which cognitive flexibility may influence emotional intimacy. Enhancing either cognitive flexibility or emotion regulation capacity may have benefits for relationships.