A self-regulation resource model of self-compassion and health behavior intentions in emerging adults

• A new self-regulation resource model was tested in a sample of emerging adults.
• Self-compassion was associated with health-promoting behavior intentions.
• Health-self-efficacy and low negative affect explained this association.
• Self-regulation resources link self-compassion to health behavior intentions.

ObjectiveThis study tested a self-regulation resource model (SRRM) of self-compassion and health-promoting behavior intentions in emerging adults. The SRRM posits that positive and negative affect in conjunction with health self-efficacy serve as valuable self-regulation resources to promote health behaviors.MethodsAn online survey was completed by 403 emerging adults recruited from the community and a Canadian University in late 2008. Multiple meditation analyses with bootstrapping controlling for demographics and current health behaviors tested the proposed explanatory role of the self-regulation resource variables (affect and self-efficacy) in linking self-compassion to health behavior intentions.ResultsSelf-compassion was positively associated with intentions to engage in health-promoting behaviors. The multiple mediation model explained 23% of the variance in health behavior intentions, with significant indirect effects through health self-efficacy and low negative affect.ConclusionInterventions aimed at increasing self-compassion in emerging adults may help promote positive health behaviors, perhaps through increasing self-regulation resources.