Trait Self-Control, Social Cognition Constructs, and Intentions: Correlational Evidence for Mediation and Moderation Effects in Diverse Health Behaviours

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Hagger, Martin S
Hankonen, Nelli
Kangro, Eva-Maria
Lintunen, Taru
Pagaduan, Jeffrey
Polet, Juho
Ries, Francis
Hamilton, Kyra
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2019
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Abstract

Background: We examined effects of trait self-control, constructs from social cognition theories, and intentions on health behaviours. Trait self-control was expected to predict health behaviour indirectly through theory constructs and intentions. Trait self-control was also predicted to moderate the intention–behaviour relationship. Methods: Proposed effects were tested in six datasets for ten health-related behaviours from studies adopting prospective designs. Participants (N = 3,249) completed measures of constructs from social cognition theories and self-control at an initial time point and self-reported their behaviour at follow-up. Results: Results revealed indirect effects of self-control on behaviour through social cognition constructs and intentions for eight behaviours: eating fruit and vegetables, avoiding fast food, dietary restrictions, binge drinking, physical activity, walking, out-of-school physical activity, and pre-drinking. Self-control moderated the intention–behaviour relationship in four behaviours: dietary restriction, and alcohol-related behaviours. Conclusions: Mediation effects suggest that individuals with high self-control are more likely to hold beliefs and intentions to participate in future health behaviour, and more likely to act. Moderation effects indicate that individuals with high self-control are more likely to enact healthy intentions and inhibit unhealthy intentions, but findings were restricted to few behaviours. Training self-control and managing contingencies that derail goal-directed action may be effective intervention strategies.

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Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being

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11

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3

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© 2019 International Association of Applied Psychology. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Trait Self-Control, Social Cognition Constructs, and Intentions: Correlational Evidence for Mediation and Moderation Effects in Diverse Health Behaviours, Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 2019, 11 (3), pp. 407-437, which has been published in final form at DOI. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving (http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-828039.html)

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Psychology

dual-process theories

response inhibition

self-discipline

self-regulation

theories of social cognition

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Hagger, MS; Hankonen, N; Kangro, EM; Lintunen, T; Pagaduan, J; Polet, J; Ries, F; Hamilton, K, Trait Self-Control, Social Cognition Constructs, and Intentions: Correlational Evidence for Mediation and Moderation Effects in Diverse Health Behaviours, Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 2019, 11 (3), pp. 407-437

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