Perceived Stress and Decision-Making Ability: The Moderating Role of Cognitive Flexibility Among University Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/japsy.3595Keywords:
Perceived Stress, Cognitive Flexibility, Decision-Making Ability, University Students, Pakistan.Abstract
Purpose: Perceived stress negatively affects decision-making ability among university students, while cognitive flexibility may help mitigate its impact. This study examines the moderating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between perceived stress and decision-making ability among Pakistani university students, grounded in Cognitive Flexibility Theory.
Methodology: A cross-sectional correlational design was employed, using purposive sampling to recruit 142 university students in Pakistan (men and women), aged 18–30 years (M = 23.97, SD = 3.74) from public and private universities in Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. Standardized instruments included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire (MDMQ). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and moderation analysis via Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 1).
Findings: Perceived stress was significantly negatively correlated with decision-making ability (r = −.61, p < .01), while cognitive flexibility had a positive but non-significant relationship with decision-making. Moderation analysis revealed that cognitive flexibility significantly moderated the effect of perceived stress on decision-making ability (B = 0.02, SE = 0.009, t = 2.35, p = .01, R² = .40). Conditional effects showed that students with higher cognitive flexibility experienced a weaker negative impact of stress on decision-making compared to students with lower flexibility.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: The study advances theoretical understanding by confirming cognitive flexibility as a protective factor that buffers stress-related impairments in decision-making. Practically, findings highlight the importance of cognitive flexibility training and stress management interventions in university settings. Policymakers and universities should implement programs to enhance students’ adaptive decision-making under stress, promoting academic performance and overall well-being.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Komal Zehra, Sadaf Riaz, Pulwasha Anwar, Zaib un Nisa, Syed Tariq Shah, Syeda Farhat Ul Ain, Roshanay Naveed
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