Cognitive flexibility and changes in hopelessness across time: A moderation hypothesis

Prior literature has suggested that cognitive flexibility is implicated in the feeling of hopelessness. However, studies on the nature of their relationship have been scarce. This study posits a moderation hypothesis on the relationship between cognitive flexibility and hopelessness. A total of 78 elderly participants (M_age = 70, SD = 6.1) were administered a self-report measure of hopelessness across two time points approximately 10 months apart and a measure of cognitive flexibility. We hypothesized that baseline hopelessness scores would moderate the relationship between cognitive flexibility and hopelessness scores 10 months later. Specifically, among the high baseline hopelessness group, we predicted that cognitively flexible participants would report lower hopelessness scores 10 months later. However, for the low baseline hopelessness group, cognitive flexibility would be unrelated to hopelessness scores 10 months later. The results of a bootstrapped moderation analysis controlling for age, sex, education, and general cognitive status supported our moderation hypothesis and predictions. These findings reveal the complex nature of the relationship between cognitive flexibility and hopelessness. The implications of these findings in the wider clinical context were discussed.