The Moderating Effect of Cognitive Flexibility on the Relationship Between Emotional Expression Ambivalence and Interpersonal Problems in Middle-Aged Women

Objectives The purpose of this study was to verify the moderating effect of cognitive flexibility on the relationship between emotional ambivalence and interpersonal problems in middle-aged women. Methods To this end, an online survey was conducted targeting middle-aged women aged 40 to 60, and 322 copies were used for the final statistical analysis. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0 for descriptive statistical analysis, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis by variable, and the moderating effect was verified using Process Macro V4.2 Model 1. Results First, the emotional expression ambivalence of middle-aged women was found to have a positive effect on interpersonal relationship problems. Second, the cognitive flexibility of middle-aged women was found to have a negative effect on interpersonal relationship problems. Third, the emotional expression ambivalence of middle-aged women and interpersonal relationship problems were found to be moderated by cognitive flexibility, and the moderating effect was found in both alternative and control, which are sub-variables of cognitive flexibility. Conclusions First, it is significant that cognitive flexibility was confirmed to be an important moderating factor in the relationship between emotional expression ambivalence of middle-aged women and interpersonal relationship problems. Second, by revealing the major variables that affect the interpersonal problems of middle-aged women, it can provide basic data that can effectively intervene by specifying the interpersonal problems caused by emotional ambivalence. Third, as the average life expectancy increases and the importance of middle age increases, it is a very important time for women to form smooth interpersonal relationships with others more than any other time in their lives, so the results of this study provide implications for the development of counseling and education programs related to the interpersonal problems of middle-aged women.