Abstract:

Purpose: This study was carried out to examine the relationship between university students' irrational beliefs about romantic relationships and their cognitive flexibility levels. Method: 203 university students participated in the study. 126 of the students were female (62.1%), 77 (37.9%) of them were male. Demographic information form, Irrational Beliefs in Romantic Relationships Inventory and Cognitive Flexibility Inventory were applied to the participants with the questionnaire form prepared as a data collection tool in the study. Findings: The relationship between the level of cognitive flexibility and the total mean scores of irrational beliefs were examined, and it was concluded that "social time use", "gender differences" and "thinking different" among irrational beliefs increased as cognitive flexibility decreased. As the grade level increases, the cognitive flexibility levels of the students increase and their irrational beliefs decrease. Also, students' having irrational relationship beliefs differ according to the status of having a relationship. Originality: Identifying university students' irrational beliefs about romantic relationships will provide information about the functionality of their future family institution. Interventions to increase the cognitive flexibility of young adults will prevent the emergence of irrational beliefs and may contribute to the establishment of healthy and functional relationships.

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