Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study examines how relational energy influences coping flexibility among university students, integrating optimism as a mediating mechanism and cognitive reappraisal as a key boundary condition. Drawing on social resource and positive psychology perspectives, the model proposes that energized interpersonal interactions foster optimism, which in turn enhances students' ability to flexibly adapt their coping strategies. METHODS: A face-to-face survey was conducted with 500 university students in China, yielding 436 valid responses. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to assess both the measurement and structural models. RESULTS: The findings indicate that relational energy is positively associated with both optimism and coping flexibility. Optimism partially mediates the relationship between relational energy and coping flexibility. Furthermore, cognitive reappraisal significantly strengthens the relationship between relational energy and optimism and amplifies the indirect effect of relational energy on coping flexibility through optimism. DISCUSSION: These results highlight the complementary roles of interpersonal vitality and adaptive emotion regulation in shaping students' psychological adaptability. The study contributes to the relational energy literature by extending its relevance to academic contexts and underscores the importance of fostering both social and cognitive resources to promote student resilience.