A Structural Equation Model of Self-Regulation and Healthy Habits as an Individual Protective Tool in the Context of Epidemics-Evidence From COVID-19

Sónia S Sousa; Marisa M Ferreira; Sara Cruz; Adriana Sampaio; Anabela Silva-Fernandes

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696813

A Structural Equation Model of Self-Regulation and Healthy Habits as an Individual Protective Tool in the Context of Epidemics-Evidence From COVID-19

Front Psychol. 2021 Sep 14:12:696813. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696813. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Sónia S Sousa¹, Marisa M Ferreira¹, Sara Cruz², Adriana Sampaio¹, Anabela Silva-Fernandes¹

Affiliations

¹ Psychological Neuroscience Laboratory, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
² The Psychology for Positive Development Research Center (CIPD), Lusíada University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to explore the mediation role of self-regulation on health-related behaviors adoption or maintenance, mental health, and well-being during the COVID-19 confinement in a sample of adults in Portugal. Design: One-hundred fifty individuals (118 females, 32 males; Mage = 33.57 year; SD = 12.71) filled an online survey to assess self-regulation, healthy behaviors, mental health, and well-being perception, during the early months of the pandemic (June-August, 2020). Main Outcome Measures: Self-regulation capacity, adoption or maintenance of healthy habits, mental health, including stress management, and the perception of one's well-being were evaluated using a structural equation model (SEM). Results: Self-regulation had direct effects on healthy habits and mental health and indirect effects on well-being and mental health mediated by healthy habits. In specific, a positive direct effect on healthy habits (β = 0.497, p < 0.001) and a negative direct effect on mental health (β = -0.428, p < 0.001); and a positive indirect effect on well-being perception, mediated by healthy behaviors and mental health (β = 0.253, p = 0.003), and a negative indirect effect on mental health, mediated by healthy habits (β = -0.208, p = 0.003). Additionally, healthy habits exerted direct effects on well-being perception and mental health. A positive direct effect on well-being perception (β = 0.254, p = 0.012), and a negative direct effect on mental health (β = -0.418, p < 0.001) were further observed. No direct effect of mental health was observed in well-being perception (β = -0.199, p = 0.068). Finally, a negative correlation was observed between self-regulation and weeks of confinement (r = -0.208, p = 0.021). Conclusion: Self-regulation seems to be a good indicator of adopting a healthy lifestyle and better mental health and well-being in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future preventive actions and interventions to build long-term global preparedness for future health emergencies, such as COVID-19, should explore the importance of self-regulation as an important individual and collective protective factor.

Keywords: COVID-19; healthy habits; mental health; self-regulation; structural equation model; well-being.