The Relationship of Positive Emotions and Character Strengths with Life Expectancy: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Flexibility among Elite Athletes
Subject Areas : Research Journal of Sociological of Sport
1 - M.A. in General Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Character Strengths, Cognitive Flexibility, Emerging Adulthood, Hope for Life, Positive Emotions,
Abstract :
Introduction: he aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between positive emotions and character strengths with life expectancy, considering the mediating role of cognitive flexibility among elite athletes. Methods: his applied and correlational study was conducted on a statistical population of elite athletes in 2024. A total sample of 360 participants (both male and female) was selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS), Snyder’s Life Expectancy Scale, and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI). Data analysis was carried out using structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS version 24. Results: The results findings revealed that positive emotions and character strengths were positively and significantly associated with life expectancy, both directly and indirectly through cognitive flexibility. Furthermore, cognitive flexibility played a significant mediating role in strengthening these relationships. The model fit indices also indicated an acceptable fit of the proposed model with the data Conclusion: It can be concluded that enhancing positive emotions and character strengths may contribute to improving life expectancy among elite athletes by increasing cognitive flexibility. Therefore, it is recommended that educational programs and psychological interventions focusing on cognitive flexibility be developed and implemented to promote mental health and life expectancy in this population.
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