AUTHOR=Sousa Sónia S. , Ferreira Marisa M. , Cruz Sara , Sampaio Adriana , Silva-Fernandes Anabela 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696813

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2021.696813

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> 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.</p><p><bold>Design:</bold> One-hundred fifty individuals (118 females, 32 males; <italic>M</italic>age = 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).</p><p><bold>Main Outcome Measures:</bold> 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).</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> 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, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) and a negative direct effect on mental health (β = −0.428, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001); and a positive indirect effect on well-being perception, mediated by healthy behaviors and mental health (β = 0.253, <italic>p</italic> = 0.003), and a negative indirect effect on mental health, mediated by healthy habits (β = −0.208, <italic>p</italic> = 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, <italic>p</italic> = 0.012), and a negative direct effect on mental health (β = −0.418, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) were further observed. No direct effect of mental health was observed in well-being perception (β = −0.199, <italic>p</italic> = 0.068). Finally, a negative correlation was observed between self-regulation and weeks of confinement (<italic>r</italic> = −0.208, <italic>p</italic> = 0.021).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> 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.</p>