This study examined the longitudinal relationship between psychological resilience and cognitive flexibility among medical students from Chinese private universities. A combined cross-sectional (N=200) and one-year longitudinal (N=249) design was employed. Cross-sectional results revealed a strong positive correlation. Longitudinal cross-lagged analysis demonstrated that prior psychological resilience (T1) significantly predicted subsequent cognitive flexibility (T2) (β= 0.283, p < 0.001), whereas prior cognitive flexibility did not predict later resilience. Dimensional analysis further identified multiple significant predictive paths from resilience dimensions (e.g., goal focus) to cognitive flexibility, with no reverse paths. The findings provide robust evidence that psychological resilience is a significant precursor to cognitive flexibility, suggesting that fostering resilience can promote cognitive benefits in this student population.

Lihui Huang. Cognitive Benefits of Psychological Resilience: An Empirical Study Based on a Cross-Lagged Design. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2025), Vol. 8, Issue 11: 122-130. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2025.081120.

[1] Bonanno, G. A., Papa, A., Lalande, K., Westphal, M., & Coifman, K. (2004). The importance of being flexible: The ability to both enhance and suppress emotional expression predicts long-term adjustment. Psychological Science, 15(7), 482–487.

[2] Cheng, C. (2001). Assessing coping flexibility in real-life and laboratory settings: A multimethod approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(5), 814–833.

[3] Connor, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. T. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety, 18(2), 76–82.

[4] Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135–168.

[5] Fletcher, D., & Sarkar, M. (2013). Psychological resilience: A review and critique of definitions, concepts, and theory. European Psychologist, 18(1), 12–23.

[6] Hayes, S. C., Luoma, J. B., Bond, F. W., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2006). Acceptance and commitment therapy: Model, processes, and outcomes. Behavior Research and Therapy, 44(1), 1–25.

[7] Luthar, S. S., Cicchetti, D., & Becker, B. (2000). The construct of resilience: A critical evaluation and guidelines for future work. Child Development, 71(3), 543–562.

[8] Rutter, M. (2006). Implications of resilience concepts for scientific understanding. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1094(1), 1–12.

[9] Vella, S.-L.C., & Pai, N.B. (2019). A theoretical review of psychological resilience: Defining resilience and resilience research over the decades. Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences, 7(2), 233–239.

[10] Lü Ruxue, Adila Ablaiti, Reyihanguli Aimidula, Zhang Yiqi, Sulaiaiti Yermamaiti, Abidan Abulizi... & Asmuguli Kulum. (2024). Analysis of Medical Students' Mental Health and Stress Sources in the Context of Healthy China. Journal of Medical Research, 53(02), 91-95+80. 

[11] Feng Zhiyuan, Wan Pengyu, Huang Qin, Huang Xiani, Xu Mingjin & Yang Xinguo. (2016). The Relationship Among Social Support, Psychological Resilience, Cyberbullying, and Life Satisfaction Among College Students. Chinese Health Education, 32(01), 8-11+31.

[12] Xu, W. W., Yang, G., Zhu, M. R., Chen, J. T., & Li, W. F. (2019). The relationship between psychological resilience and creativity among college students: The mediating role of cognitive flexibility. Chinese Journal of Health Psychology, 27(12), 1885-1890. https://doi.org/10.13342/j.cnki. cjhp.2019.12.034.