An actor-partner interdependence analysis of cognitive flexibility and indicators of social adjustment among mother-child dyads

Social adjustment is a critical aspect of a highly satisfying and quality life. The goal of this study was to analyze the relationship between cognitive flexibility and three indicators of social adjustment (i.e., social skills, social support, and loneliness) among mother-child dyads. Actor-partner interdependence models were conducted on self-reported indicators of cognitive flexibility, social skills, social support, and loneliness from 146 mother - child dyad (N = 292). The results showed that one's own cognitive flexibility predicted higher social skills and social support, as well as lower levels of loneliness for both mothers and adult children. Partner effects also revealed that child cognitive flexibility predicted higher levels of social support for mothers. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed in detail.