지각된 스트레스와 불안 및 우울의 관계: 성별에 따른 인지적 유연성과 속박감의 조절효과

This study examined the moderating effects of subtypes of cognitive flexibility and entrapment in the relationships between perceived stress and anxiety as well as depression. Gender differences in the moderating effects are also investigated between male and female participants. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, using data from 345 college students(male 166, female 179). Main results are as follows: First, t-test results confirmed gender differences in all the study variables, except for cognitive alternatives. To be specific, female students had higher scores on perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and internal/external entrapment than their male counterparts. In contrast, male students showed higher scores on cognitive control, compared to female students. Second, cognitive control had significant effects on male students’ anxiety and depression, as well as, on female students’ depression. Conversely, cognitive alternatives had significant influence neither on anxiety nor on depression. In addition, both internal and external entrapment had positive effects on anxiety and depression regardless of gender. Third, gender difference existed regarding the moderating effects of subtypes of cognitive flexibility. and entrapment. For male students, cognitive control moderated the relationship between perceived stress and depression. For female participants, cognitive control moderated the relationship between perceived stress and anxiety. Fourth, internal entrapment moderated the relationship between female students’ perceived stress and depression, whereas, external entrapment moderated the relationship between perceived stress and anxiety among female students. Based on the present findings, limitations of this study as well as implications for future research and interventions were discussed.