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

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.

Application of the FANTASTIC Lifestyle Questionnaire in the Academic Context

“…The studies involved a total of 13,631 university students from Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Portugal, Chile, Poland, and Mexico. All studies used the FANTASTIC questionnaire; however, some studies evaluated all the dimensions of the questionnaire [ 5 , 6 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], while others only evaluated some dimensions, such as nutrition, consumption of alcohol, tobacco or drugs, physical activity, and sleep.…”

Physical as well as psychological distress and coping with situational dilemmas experienced by people infected with COVID-19: a mixed method study

“…They used spiritual and religion dimensions, mindful, transcendence meditation. Selfregulation seems to be a good indicator of adopting a healthy lifestyle and better mental health and wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic [30]. Previous study found that COVID-19 distress and general mental distress were strongly related both meaningfulness and self-control were negatively associated with general mental distress [31].…”

“…The score ranges of psychological distress; mild level (≤ 51), moderate level (52-81), and severe level (≥82). Then, the score ranges of coping; mild level (≤ 28), moderate level (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45), and high level (≥46).…”

Alcohol Use and Anxiety in Primary Health Care Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Phone-Based Study

“…Our results showed that few coping strategies were identified by the participants; however, those who reported using physical exercise or breathing activities as coping strategies had lower anxiety scores. People who maintained healthy behaviors, such as healthy eating, exercise, impulse control, and the ability to manage adverse events, showed positive results for the maintenance of mental health and well-being during a study carried out in Portugal (Sousa et al, 2021 ). This suggests that providing education on coping strategies can be useful in helping people manage and prevent anxiety in stressful and traumatic situations, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”