Regular Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction: Unpacking the Roles of Self-Control and Emotion Regulation
Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise and physical activity have many benefits for both the body and mind. This study examined the possible mediating effects of self-control and forms of emotion regulation on life satisfaction. A total of 186 adults par...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/4/1878 |
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| Summary: | Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise and physical activity have many benefits for both the body and mind. This study examined the possible mediating effects of self-control and forms of emotion regulation on life satisfaction. A total of 186 adults participated in an online survey. Subjects answered questions regarding the regularity of participation in various forms of physical activity and completed questionnaires assessing self-control, emotional regulation, and life satisfaction. The Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Brief Self-Control Scale were used to assess life satisfaction and dispositional self-control. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire was used to measure two different forms of emotion regulation: cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Based on self-reported average minutes spent exercising per week, participants were classified into four levels of physical activity according to World Health Organization guidelines. The mediation analysis results showed that dispositional self-control and cognitive reappraisal fully mediated the relationship between physical activity level and life satisfaction. This suggests that regular physical activity may increase levels of self-control and cognitive reappraisal, which in turn leads to greater life satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of regular exercise in promoting well-being and increasing life satisfaction through its beneficial effects on self-control and emotion regulation. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |