The Relationship between Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Executive Functions

This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation and executive functions. The research method is descriptive-correlation type. 150 students of Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch were selected by convenience sampling method and completed research tools including Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS). Data analysis was done with Pearson correlation coefficient and SPSS-22 software. The findings showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the strategies of emotion regulation of acceptance, positive refocusing, planning, positive reappraisal, and putting into perspective with executive functions, but this relationship were inverse for self-blame, other-blame, catastrophizing and rumination (P < 0.01). According to the findings, it is concluded that constructive strategies of cognitive emotion regulation can be effective in strengthening executive functions, and incorrect strategies of cognitive emotion regulation cause problems in executive functions.Therefore, students should be trained in the field of improving cognitive regulation strategies.