Psychological Flexibility as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Mental Health Literacy and Psychological Well-Being among Police Officers within Cagayan Valley Region

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between Mental Health Literacy and Psychological Well-Being among police officers in Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) and determined whether Psychological Flexibility mediated this relationship. Anchored on the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping and supported by concepts from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the study employed a quantitative descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational design. A total of 384 active PNP uniformed personnel who had received the Mental Health Awareness Lecture in 2025 were selected through stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. Mental Health Literacy, Psychological Flexibility, and Psychological Well-Being were measured using the Mental Health Literacy Scale, Work-Related Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and Psychological General Well-Being Index, respectively. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rho correlation, and mediation analysis using path analysis and bootstrapping were applied. Results showed that respondents had high Mental Health Literacy, high work-related Psychological Flexibility, and a moderate degree of Psychological Well-Being. Mental Health Literacy was significantly and positively related to Psychological Well-Being (ρ = .234, p < .001), although the relationship was weak. Psychological Flexibility partially mediated this relationship, with both direct and indirect effects remaining significant. Among the Mental Health Literacy dimensions, only knowledge of self-treatments demonstrated a significant indirect effect on Psychological Well-Being through Psychological Flexibility. The study concludes that mental health knowledge is associated with better psychological well-being, partly through officers’ capacity to adapt to stressful thoughts, emotions, and occupational demands. It recommends strengthening the Project: Bantay Kaisipan through Mental Health Literacy education, ACT-informed Psychological Flexibility training, mindfulness, stress management, adaptive coping, psychological safety initiatives, continuous wellness monitoring, and sustained psychological services. The study supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Its sustainability impact lies in supporting healthier police workplaces, stronger institutional mental health programs, sustained occupational functioning, and effective public safety services.