Finding meaning in self-control: The effect of self-control on the perception of meaning in life

Abstract

The present research explored whether self-control is associated with the perception of meaning in life. A week-long daily diary study (Study 1) showed trait self-control (but not daily experiences of self-control failure) to be positively associated with a general sense of meaning in life and daily experiences of meaning. This association was robust against controlling for life satisfaction, positive and negative affect. Study 2 tested two potential mechanisms underlying the association between trait self-control and meaning in life: Successful goal progress and experience of structure in life. While self-control was positively associated with both, only the experience of structure predicted meaning: Self-control was positively related to the perception of one's life as having a clear sense of structure and order, which in turn predicted a stronger perception of meaning. Study 3 replicated the mediation path via the experience of structure and showed it to be stronger for individuals high (vs. low) in the personal need for structure. The present findings add to the emerging literature on trait (and state) self-control and dispositional determinants of meaning in life.

Staying on track in turbulent times: Trait self-control and goal pursuit during self-quarantine

“…The study was conducted online from June 8 to 16, 2020. After an explanation of what goals are ( Stavrova et al, 2019 ; Stavrova et al, 2020 ), participants were asked to write down one personal goal that they had started pursuing before the lockdown and that they still wanted to achieve. Then, they wrote down up to five behaviors they had been using to achieve this goal before the lockdown started.…”

“…Prior research on self-control has shown that one of the reasons why people with higher (vs. lower) self-control are more successful at goal attainment is because they use adaptive behavioral strategies, such as turning goal-directed behaviors into habits ( Adriaanse, Kroese, Gillebaart, & De Ridder, 2014 ; De Ridder & Gillebaart, 2017 ; Ent, Baumeister, & Tice, 2015 ; Galla & Duckworth, 2015 ; Stavrova, Pronk, & Kokkoris, 2020 ; Stavrova, Pronk, & Kokkoris, 2019 ). This tendency to develop “beneficial habits” could facilitate goal attainment during self-quarantine for high self-control individuals.…”

The association between meaning in life and harmful drinking is mediated by individual differences in self-control and alcohol value

“…negatively associated with search for meaning in life (Li et al, 2019). Given that having a sense of structure in life has been found to mediate the positive association between presence of meaning in life and selfcontrol (Stavrova et al, 2018), it may be that when a person acquires or enters into adult roles that provide meaning in life this leads to a structured lifestyle (e.g. having children or stable employment and an early waking routine).…”

“…Self-control is positively associated with presence of meaning in life and negatively associated with search for meaning in life (Li, Salcuni, & Delvecchio, 2019). One study demonstrated that the positive association between self-control and meaning in life was mediated by the perception of having structure in life (Stavrova, Pronk, & Kokkoris, 2018). Therefore, presence of meaning in life may facilitate and maintain self-control through the ability for a person to organise and structure their life, whereas this is potentially lacking in people who are searching for meaning in life.…”

Persepsi Keluarga Penerima Manfaat Tentang Program Pengentasan Kemiskinan Di Indonesia

“…Persepsi pada kehidupan seseorang merupakan representasi bermakna sebagai prediktor penting pada hasil kehidupan positif (Stavrova et al, 2020). Sementara itu, Walgito (2003) mendefinisikan persepsi sebagai sebuah proses pengorganisasian dan penginrepretasian terhadap stimulus yang diterima oleh setiap individu sehingga merupakan sesuatu yang berarti dan aktivitas yang integrated dalam diri individu tersebut.…”