Trait self-control and health behavior: Meta-analysis and test of a mediational model.

Objective: Pervasive evidence supports consistent associations between trait self-control and health behavior, yet few studies have tested the underlying mechanisms.We leveraged meta-analytically synthesized data from the extant research to test a mediational model specifying indirect effects of trait selfcontrol on health behavior mediated by social cognition theory constructs and intention as a candidate mechanism.We also tested the effects of moderators on model effects: behavior control process (impulsive vs. reflective), behavior type, trait self-control and behavior measure type, and measurement lag.Method: Studies reporting relations among trait self-control, social cognition constructs (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control), intention, and health behavior were identified in a systematic database search.Our proposed model was fit to the pooled correlation matrix among these variables using multilevel meta-analytic structural equation modeling.Results: Findings supported model predictions including indirect effects of trait self-control on health behavior directed through attitude, perceived behavioral control, and intentions, and a residual direct effect indicating partial mediation.Moderator analysis revealed larger direct and indirect trait self-control-health behavior effects in studies targeting behaviors under impulsive process control relative to those under reflective control.Analyses of behavior type, behavior and self-control measure type, and measurement lag moderators did not reveal systematic variation in model effects.Conclusion: Findings provide preliminary support for the model signaling a candidate mechanism for trait self-control-health behavior relations and providing prior effect size and variability estimates that could be expected in future studies.Impulse-related behaviors represent a key moderating condition that magnifies trait self-control-behavior effects. Public Significance StatementThis synthesis of current research provides evidence supporting links between individuals' individual differences in self-control capacity and their participation in protective and risky health behaviors, and the psychological process involved.Across multiple studies, individuals with "good" trait self-control are more likely to participate in protective, and avoid risky, health behaviors.Critically, the self-control-health behavior link was found to be partly attributable to individuals' attitudes and control-related beliefs concerning health intention and behaviors.