Cognitive Control and Cognitive Flexibility in the Context of Stress: A Scale Adaptation
Ayşe Sibel DemirtaşStresli Durumlarda Bilişsel Kontrol ve Bilişsel Esneklik: Bir Ölçek Uyarlama Çalışması
Ayşe Sibel DemirtaşCognitive control and cognitive flexibility is an essential feature in the ability of an individual to adjust to changing environments and to play a role in goal-oriented behavior (Gabrys, Tabri, Anisman, & Matheson 2018). Cognitive flexibility is associated with the individuals’ capability to adjust the problem solving plan, in compliance with the requirements of the task (Al Jabari, 2012). Cognitive flexibility is linked with multiple thinking strategies and the use of mental frameworks. Cognitively flexible people have capabilities to explore the environment to define emerging changes and generate multiple strategies to be ready (Gurvis & Calarco, 2007). Although there is no consensus within the literature about the definition and measurement of this construct, the core component of cognitive flexibility is “the ability to switch cognitive sets to adapt to the changing environmental stimuli” in most operational definitions (Dennis & Vander Wal, 2010, p. 242). Cognitive control refers to the ability to block non-relevant information while focusing on information that is currently inappropriate for a particular purpose (Gabrys et al., 2018). The cognitive control defines the ability to define, manage, and process the information in an effective and adaptive manner, in order to direct the behavior to the individual’s internal goals (Badre, 2011), and depends on the multiple executive functions, including working memory, blocking, conflict monitoring, and setting change (Gläscher et al., 2012; Mackie, Van Dam, & Fan, 2013). Studies reported on the context of stressful experiences examined cognitive control and flexibility, emotional regulation, and processes related to depressive symptoms. However, it is not fully understood how these capabilities can be expressed in stressful situations (Gabrys et al., 2018). In this respect, Gabrys et al. (2018) have suggested that cognitive control and flexibility can be demonstrated through a variety of key processes such as attention, assessment / reassessment and approval of specific coping strategies, and have developed the Cognitive Control and Flexibility Questionnaire (CCFQ). The purpose of the current research study is to adapt the Cognitive Control and Flexibility Questionnaire, which was designed to measure cognitive flexibility and control levels of individuals in stressful situations, into Turkish.
Method
The validity and reliability testing study of the scale was conducted with three different study phases. The research was conducted on 47 participants (% 66 female, %34 male) for the first phase of the study, 241 participants (% 65 female, %35 male) for the second phase of the study and 352 participants (%45 female, %55 male) for the third phase of the study, for a total of 640 participants. The psychometric properties of the scale were investigated by linguistic equivalence, item analysis, construct validity (convergent validity, relationships with other constructs, internal consistency) and Cronbach’s alpha reliability testing methods. The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (Dennis & Vander Wal, 2010), Dispositional Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991) and the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983) were also used for testing the validity.
Results
In the first phase of the study, the test-retest correlation over two weeks for the linguistic equivalence of the scale was found to be high (appraisal and coping flexibility: r(45) = .88, p < .01; cognitive control over emotion: r(45) = .96, p < .01; total scale: r(45) = .95, p < .01). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis for the construct validity demonstrated that all t values were significant, and the two-factor model, as in its original form, had acceptable fit indexes (χ²/sd = 2.63, NFI = .94, CFI = .96, GFI = .86, AGFI = .82, IFI = .96, SRMR = .07 ve RMSEA = .08). The findings of the Pearson correlation analysis showed that the Turkish form of CCFQ was positively correlated with the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory and Dispositional Hope Scale, and negatively correlated with the Perceived Stress Scale. Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient was found as .88 for Cognitive Control over Emotion factor, .88 for the Appraisal and Coping Flexibility factor, and .90 for total scale on the second study and as .85, .91 and .91, respectively, on the third phase of the study.
Discussion
In conclusion, the research findings present evidence that the Turkish form of CCFQ is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to measure the cognitive flexibility of Turkish university students in the context of stress. The measurement tool can be applied in experimental and correlational studies in different fields of psychology by researchers, as well as in determining the cognitive flexibility levels of individuals by the practitioners. As the sample group of this study is composed of university students, it would be useful to test the scale with the other groups to determine the validity of the scale. As the scale is short and easy to implement, it is thought that it will support further research to be done about cognitive control and flexibility.
