Relationship between Maladaptive Self-focused Attention and Depression in Early adult women: Mediating effects of Cognitive flexibility

Objectives This study attempted to verify the mediating effect of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between maladaptive self-focused attention and depression, focusing on early adult women. Methods To this end, an online survey was conducted on 284 early adult women aged 19 to 40 across the country. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, and correlation analysis were performed on the collected data using SPSS 27.0, and mediating effect verification was performed using the Process Macro v4.1 program. Results First, maladaptive self-focusism (β=.291, p<.001) was found to have a significant positive effect on depression. Second, cognitive flexibility was found to have a negative effect on depression (β=.291, p<.01). Third, it was found that cognitive flexibility played a partial mediating role in the relationship between maladaptive self-focusism and depression. Conclusions It is significant in that it has provided empirical evidence that developing counseling and education programs aimed at improving cognitive flexibility to identify and mediate the relationship between self-focused attention and depression in early adult women experiencing depression can help them improve their depression.