The causal relationship between lifestyle and cognitive flexibility with mental health with mediating role of negative thinking control in mothers of exceptional children

This research aims to examine the causal model of mental health based on lifestyle and cognitive flexibility through negative thinking control in mothers of exceptional children. The statistical society included all mothers of exceptional children who lived in Ahwaz in 2018 .

264 of them were selected by convenience sampling method and responded to the Symptom Check List 25-Rivised (SCL-25), Life Style Inventory (LSI), Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire (CFQ), Negative Thinking Control Questionnaire (NTCQ). . Data were analyzed using Path analysis method using Amos software.

The results showed that there was a positive and significant direct relationship between lifestyle, and negative thoughts control, respectively. There was also a positive and significant relationship between lifestyle and cognitive flexibility with negative thoughts control. Negative thoughts control partially mediated the relationship between lifestyle and mental health and Completely mediated the relationship between cognitive flexibility and mental health.

Given the importance of the mental health of mothers of exceptional children, it can be predicted that by changing their lifestyles and enhancing their flexibility both directly and through controlling negative thoughts of mental health.