The mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the relationship between executive functions and resilience in Tehran firefighters

The present study aimed to present a cognitive model of resilience and investigate the relationship between executive functions and resilience mediated by cognitive emotion regulation strategies.

This study used the correlation method of structural equation modeling. The statistical population of this study was all firefighters working in 131 fire stations in Tehran, Iran, in the first half of 2018. Among them, 207 firefighters were chosen by random sampling method. To collect data, the Resilience Questionnaire (Connor & Davidson, 2003), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ, Garnefski, 2002), the Classic Stroop test (CST, 1935), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test computer version (WCST, Berg et al, 1948) was used.

Data analysis, performed using structural equation modeling, demonstrated a significant positive correlation between executive functions and resilience (P<0.01). Similarly, a significant positive correlation was found between adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and resilience (P<0.01). However, a negative correlation was observed between maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and resilience (P<0.01). No significant correlation was found between executive functions and adaptive and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Furthermore, the non-linear effect of executive functions on resilience was found to be insignificant (P>0.05).

This model demonstrates a firm fit. The research findings suggest that resilience can be effectively predicted through executive functions. Furthermore, it enhances people's resilience by fostering cognitive emotion regulation strategies and executive functions.