Need to Belong and Cognitive Flexibility in Young Adults: Mediating Role of Negative Affect and Moderating Role of Agreeableness

Objective: Previous studies propose that the need to belong can explain some emotional and cognitive mechanisms. Yet, it is unclear which cognitive and emotional mechanisms may be predicted by the need to belong and whether this relationship varies within different personality traits. The general purpose of this study was to scrutinize the role of emotion and personal traits in the relationship between the need to belong and cognitive flexibility with the help of a model. Method: A total of 719 university students, 446 female and 273 male, employed the participant group of the study (M ± SDage = 21.38 ± 1.97). Data measurement tools were Standard Information Form, Cognitive Flexibility Scale, Need to Belong Scale, Big Five Personality Traits Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale. Results: The mediation analysis demonstrated a significant indirect effect of the need to belong on cognitive flexibility through negative affect (b =-.0606, t = -3.189). This finding showed that the need to belong reduced cognitive flexibility by increasing negative affect. With regard to the moderation analysis results, the interaction effect of the need to belong and agreeableness personality trait (need to belong X agreeableness) significantly predicted cognitive flexibility (b =-.1169; CI 95% =-.2033 to -.0304, t =-2.6542, p = 0.0081). Accordingly, the negative direct effect of the need to belong on cognitive flexibility was stronger in the lower agreeableness condition. Conclusion: The current study indicated that agreeableness moderates the negative effect of the need to belong on cognitive flexibility. The highest cognitive flexibility was observed in the lower need to belong and higher agreeableness conditions. In conclusion, it is suggested that the effect of the need to belong on cognitive abilities may be accompanied by personality traits and emotional processes.