NEW evidence underscores the importance of psychological resilience in supporting mental well-being among people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic condition where gastrointestinal symptoms and stress are closely intertwined.
Psychological Burden of IBS
IBS is one of the most common disorders of brain–gut interaction, characterised by recurrent abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and heightened stress sensitivity. Beyond physical symptoms, many patients experience anxiety, low mood, and impaired quality of life. Chronic stress is thought to play a central role in both symptom persistence and psychological distress, highlighting the need to identify protective psychological resources.
Exploring Cognitive Flexibility and Resilience
In this cross-sectional study, researchers investigated how cognitive flexibility and resilience relate to psychological well-being in patients with IBS. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to adapt thoughts and behaviours in response to changing or challenging situations, while resilience reflects the capacity to recover from stress and adversity.
The study included 300 patients who attended a gastrointestinal health centre in Isfahan in 2024. Participants completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing psychological well-being, cognitive flexibility, and resilience. Structural equation modelling was used to examine both direct and indirect relationships between these variables.
Resilience as a Key Mediator
The analysis showed that higher cognitive flexibility and greater resilience were both significantly associated with better psychological well-being. Importantly, resilience was found to mediate the relationship between cognitive flexibility and well-being. This suggests that cognitive flexibility may enhance well-being partly by strengthening patients’ ability to cope with stress through resilient responses.
These findings provide insight into why some individuals with IBS adapt more effectively to ongoing symptoms and stressors, while others experience greater psychological burden.
Implications for IBS Management
The results reinforce the view that IBS is not solely a gastrointestinal disorder but one deeply influenced by psychological processes. Interventions that enhance cognitive flexibility and resilience may help patients better manage stress, reinterpret symptoms, and maintain psychological well-being.
The authors suggest that psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and resilience-focused programmes, could play an important role alongside medical management in IBS care.
Looking Ahead
Although the cross-sectional design limits conclusions about causality, the study adds to growing evidence supporting a biopsychosocial approach to IBS. Longitudinal and interventional studies are now needed to determine whether targeted strategies to improve resilience and cognitive flexibility can lead to sustained improvements in mental health and quality of life for patients with IBS.
Reference
Tamannaeifar MR et al. The mediating role of resilience in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a cross-sectional study. BMC Gastroenterol. 2026;DOI: 10.1186/s12876-026-04654-3.
