Stress and psychological distress are on the rise, yet the cognitive mechanisms that underlie this vulnerability remain poorly understood. This study investigates whether the way we structure our self-concept, known as self-complexity (SC), shapes emotional well-being, and whether binary thinking (BT), a rigid “all-or-nothing” evaluative style, explains this relationship. Using both objective and subjective measures of SC, 98 participants completed tasks and questionnaires assessing BT, perceived stress (PS), and psychological distress (PD).

Two mediation models were tested. Results showed that greater negative overlap between self-aspects predicted higher PD, while having more self-aspects buffered against situational stress. Contrary to expectations, BT did not mediate these effects—though it strongly and independently predicted PD. These findings suggest that self-structure and cognitive style represent distinct psychological risk factors. Interventions that promote a more flexible, differentiated sense of self, and reduce rigid thinking, may offer promising strategies for improving emotional resilience in young adults.