Associations between executive functions and negative emotions: A moderated mediation analysis of emotion regulation and gender.

Background: Although the relationship between executive functions (EFs) and negative emotions has been well documented, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study examines the potential mediating role of emotion regulation and the moderating effect of gender through a moderated mediation model.

Methods: Participants included 604 university students (M = 19.05 years, SD = 1.09; 372 females). Inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility were assessed using the Go/No-Go task, the number running memory tasks (1750 ms and 750 ms), and the digit shifting task, respectively. Emotion regulation was measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Chinese versions of the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0 and Mplus 8.3.

Results: Cognitive reappraisal mediated the relationship between working memory and anxiety and depression. Gender moderated the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and negative emotions. Specifically, cognitive reappraisal negatively predicted anxiety and depression only among female participants.

Conclusions: Our findings contribute to the existing literature by clarifying the underlying mechanisms linking various subcomponents of EFs and negative emotions. The results underscore the pivotal role of emotion regulation, particularly cognitive reappraisal, and gender-specific pathways in understanding and improving university students' mental health.