Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Journal of Conflict Management, ss.1-22, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
Purpose – This study aims to assess the mediation competencies and cognitive flexibility of mediators, investigate the influence of gender, professional experience, the quantity of cases handled and the number of agreements reached on mediation competency and cognitive flexibility scores, as well as the impact of cognitive flexibility on mediation competencies. Design/methodology/approach – The research used the correlational survey model, a prevalent approach of general survey. The study sample comprises 258 mediators used throughout various provinces of Turkey between 2023 and 2024. This study used the “Personal Information Form, ” “Mediation Competency Scale (MCS), ” and “Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI)” as instruments for data gathering. Findings – This study found that mediators demonstrated high levels of competence in mediation and cognitive flexibility, particularly with regard to communication, intuition, alternatives and control. Contrary to expectations, demographic variables had no significant impact on these competencies, likely due to Turkey’s standardised, legally driven mediation system. Notably, the alternatives dimension of cognitive flexibility accounted for 47% of mediation competence. These findings emphasise the importance of adaptive thinking in conflict resolution. The study proposes a theoretical model, Cognitive Adaptive Mediation (CAM), which emphasises the psychological, social and legal dimensions. This model suggests that effective mediation requires more than legal expertise; it also depends on cognitive flexibility and adaptive capacity. Research limitations/implications – This study is based on self-reported data from 268 Turkish mediators and may therefore be subject to social desirability bias. The generalisability of the findings is limited by the unique legal and obligatory nature of Turkey’s mediation system, which differs from voluntary, psychologically grounded models in other countries. High caseloads, short timeframes and legal constraints may have impacted the competence and cognitive flexibility of the mediators. The quantitative design restricts an in-depth understanding of cognitive mechanisms. Future research should therefore use qualitative methods and make cross-cultural comparisons to validate and expand upon these findings within diverse mediation contexts. Originality/value – This study makes a novel contribution by identifying cognitive flexibility, particularly in terms of its alternatives dimension, as a significant predictor of mediation competence. Unlike previous research, which focused primarily on legal or procedural aspects, this study incorporates psychological variables into its analysis of mediation performance. It also challenges assumptions about the influence of demographic factors by emphasizing the importance of institutional structures, such as Turkey’s legally mandated mediation system. Furthermore, the proposed Cognitive Adaptive Mediation (CAM) model provides an original theoretical framework that reconceptualises mediation as a multifaceted process requiring psychological adaptability, legal neutrality and social awareness.