A Comparative Study on Intolerance of Uncertainty, Cognitive Flexibility, and Emotion Regulation among Young Adults

Abstract

This study examined intolerance of uncertainty, cognitive flexibility, and emotion regulation among young adults using standardized psychological scales. Data were collected from undergraduate students aged 18 to 25 years through purposive sampling. The findings showed significant relationships among the variables, where higher intolerance of uncertainty was associated with less adaptive emotion regulation, while greater cognitive flexibility was linked with more adaptive emotion regulation strategies. Gender differences were also examined. The results highlight the importance of tolerating uncertainty and flexible thinking in managing emotions during young adulthood. Limitations include the use of self-report measures and a limited sample, suggesting the need for future research with larger samples and additional variables.