Cognitive Flexibility and Assertiveness as Predictors of Parent-Child Relationship Quality in Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood is a transitional life stage in which parent-child relationships remain meaningful for psychological adjustment and well-being of individuals. The present study examined the associations among cognitive flexibility, assertiveness, and parent-child relationship quality among a sample of Indian emerging adults, as well as the theoretical predictive associations of cognitive flexibility and assertiveness with parent-child relationship quality within a regression framework, drawing on Social Learning Theory. A sample of 376 participants aged 18-29 years completed the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), the Scale for Interpersonal Behavior (SIB), and the Network of Relationships Inventory-Behavioral Systems Version (NRI-BSV). Using a correlational cross-sectional design, Spearman's correlations, regression analyses and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted. Results indicated significant positive associations among cognitive flexibility, assertiveness, and parent-child relationship quality. Regression analyses demonstrated statistically significant models, with assertiveness showing a statistically significant theoretical predictive association with relationship quality for both mothers and fathers, whereas cognitive flexibility demonstrated a statistically significant theoretical predictive association only with father-child relationship quality. No significant gender differences were observed across the study variables. Together, cognitive flexibility and assertiveness accounted for a modest proportion of the variance in parent-child relationship quality, suggesting that they represent only one part of a broader network of psychological, relational, familial and sociocultural factors. The findings suggest that adaptive thinking and assertive interpersonal behaviour are associated with perceived parent-child relationship quality among a predominantly college-going sample of Indian emerging adults from intact families. As an exploratory study, the insights derived provides a foundation for future research examining additional factors and the mechanisms through which parent-child relationships are shaped across diverse populations and contexts. The findings may also inform counselling and psychoeducational interventions that strengthen adaptive thinking and effective communication as part of a broader, multifaceted approach to promoting supportive parent-child relationships.