Comparison of working memory and cognitive flexibility in individuals with and without generalized anxiety disorder

Introduction: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent worry, which significantly impairs cognitive, emotional, and functional processes. Recent cognitive models suggest that executive functions, particularly working memory and cognitive flexibility, play a central role in the development and maintenance of GAD. However, empirical evidence comparing these cognitive domains in individuals with and without GAD is limited and inconsistent.Methods: This descriptive-comparative study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, in ۲۰۲۵. A total of ۱۶۰ young adults (۸۰ with GAD and ۸۰ without) were selected via convenience sampling. Working memory was assessed using the Digit Span subtest of the WAIS-IV, and cognitive flexibility was measured using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI). Group differences were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).Results: The findings revealed significant differences between the two groups. Individuals with GAD exhibited significantly poorer working memory performance and reduced cognitive flexibility compared to non-anxious participants (p < ۰.۰۰۱). MANOVA results confirmed a significant multivariate effect of group on executive functioning.Conclusion: The results suggest that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with significant impairments in core executive functions, particularly working memory and cognitive flexibility. These findings support cognitive models of anxiety that emphasize executive dysfunction and underscore the importance of targeting cognitive control processes in therapeutic interventions for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

کلیدواژه ها:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder ، working memory ، cognitive flexibility ، executive functions ، cognitive control