Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This exploratory study investigates whether language-switching behavior in adolescence is used to conceal thoughts and its relationship with mental stability in adulthood among multilingual individuals.The theoretical framework suggests that language-switching, particularly in response to negative stimuli, may enhance emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility.Language-switching, also known as code-switching, is a common phenomenon among multilingual individuals, where they alternate between languages depending on the context, audience, or emotional state.Previous research has indicated that bilinguals and multilinguals often switch languages to better express their emotions or to align with the emotional context of a conversation.This study aims to extend this understanding by examining the long-term effects of language-switching on mental stability.Data collection for this empirical study is complete.Participants were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk, resulting in a sample of 155 multilingual adults (NMales = 124, MAge = 34.12years, SDAge = 5.95).Participants were selected based on their experience with language-switching and multilingualism.The survey included self-assessment Likert scale questions designed to measure the frequency and context of language-switching to conceal thoughts during adolescence, and the ability to maintain calmness and control in pressure situations as indicators of mental stability in adulthood.The independent variable, language-switching to conceal thoughts, was defined as the conscious choice to change languages during a conversation to hide one's thoughts from the interlocutor.The dependent variable, mental stability, was defined as the ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations, measured through a self-assessment questionnaire.Data were analyzed using SPSS, and the results revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between language-switching and mental stability (r = 0.314, p < 0.01).This suggests that individuals who frequently switched languages to manage their emotions during adolescence tend to exhibit better mental stability in adulthood.The findings support the hypothesis that language-switching in adolescence is linked to better mental stability in adulthood.The positive correlation indicates that multilingual individuals who engage in language-switching as a strategy to conceal thoughts and manage emotions may develop enhanced emotional regulation skills over time.The study underscores the importance of multilingualism in fostering emotional and cognitive flexibility, offering valuable insights for future research on multilingualism and mental health.By understanding the benefits of language-switching, psychologists and educators can better support multilingual individuals in leveraging their linguistic abilities for improved emotional regulation and mental well-being.
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4410355208