Navigating Adversity During Emerging Adulthood: Exploring the Interplay of Psychological Flexibility, Psychological Capital &amp; Resilience

Athira Alex; Kailash Sureshkumar; C N. Ramgopal

doi:10.56508/mhgcj.v9i1.329

Abstract

Introduction

Youngsters, often seen as the promise of the future, constitute the largest demographic in India. Recent research and statistical reports revealed a shocking decline in the mental health status of Indian youth, who currently face an increase in mental health crises. As per the existing data, emerging adults in India and all over the globe are vulnerable to mental health problems compared to any other age group.

Purpose

The present study aimed to explore the relationship and predictive pathways among Psychological Flexibility, Psychological Capital and Resilience, and to examine the mediating role of Psychological Capital in the link between Psychological Flexibility and Resilience among emerging adults.

Methodology

The study employed a cross-sectional correlational design and purposive sampling to recruit 149 emerging adults aged 18–24 years from a college setting. The Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Scale, the Compound Psychological Capital Scale-12 (CPC-12), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC) were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression, and mediation analysis (Hayes process macro).

Results

Findings revealed that global flexibility is positively related to PsyCap and Resilience, (r = 0.52, p <.01) & (r = .48, p<.01), whereas global inflexibility indicated negative correlation with both (r = −0.41, p <.01) & (r = −0.38, p<.01). Specifically, PsyCap was identified as a partial mediator, (B=0.060, 95% CI [0.032, 0.091]) indicating that flexibility enable individuals to develop internal psychological strength which in turn promote resilience.

Conclusion

By integrating the theoretical formulation offered by COR and Broaden–and–Build theory, the findings provide a novel and comprehensive view of how adaptive cognitive-emotional mechanisms promote resilience during the critical developmental period. The existing body of research also validates these findings. Limitations, Implications and directions for future research were discussed.

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Navigating Adversity During Emerging Adulthood: Exploring the Interplay of Psychological Flexibility, Psychological Capital & Resilience