The Mediating Role of Metacognitions in the Relationship Between the Need for Absolute Truth and Psychopathological Symptoms Among University Students

Authors : Ayşe Su Kocayörük, Gülşah Yıldırım

Pages : 426-435

View : 107 | Download : 131

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study examines the mediating role of metacognition in the relationship between university students’ absolute real need and psychopathological indicators including depression and anxiety. Metacognition supports psychological resilience by increasing individuals’ capacity to interpret and manage conflicts arising from unmet needs. In this case, the existence of maladaptive thinking styles and beliefs affects university students’ mental health problems. Therefore, metacognition processes play an important role in mental health problems that an individual may experience in his quest to find the absolute truth about himself. The study was conducted with 375 university students. The data collection tools of the study are the Need for Absolute Truth Scale, the Metacognition scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory Depression Subscale and the Brief Symptom Inventory Anxiety Subscale. The Structural Equation Model proposed in the study was tested using LISREL 8.71. The study reveals that high absolute need for truth leads to a significant increase in psychopathological symptoms. However, it has been found that metacognitive skills such as awareness and thought management play a full mediating role in this relationship. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that metacognitions act as full mediators between the individual’s absolute real needs and psychopathology indicators.
Keywords : Anksiyete, depresyon, üstbiliş, mutlak gerçek ihtiyacı, psikopataloji

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