Longitudinal associations of self-control with subjective well-being and psychological well-being: The mediating roles of basic psychological need satisfaction and self-authenticity

Although cumulative evidence has shown that self-control promotes well-being, the underlying psychological mechanisms remain unclear. Studies indicate that basic psychological need satisfaction and self-authenticity may contribute to this relationship. This longitudinal study investigated the associations between self-control and subjective and psychological well-being while examining the mediating role of basic psychological need satisfaction and self-authenticity in a large sample of 2,539 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 17.27, SD = 0.86). Results showed that participants with higher self-control were more likely to report greater subjective and psychological well-being. Basic psychological need satisfaction and self-authenticity were highly and positively correlated with self-control and both types of well-being. Structural equation models indicated that self-control directly and indirectly predicts the two types of well-being through basic psychological need satisfaction and self-authenticity. Specifically, the associations between self-control and well-being outcomes were partially accounted for by the serial mediating effects of basic psychological need satisfaction and self-authenticity. The findings indicate that elevated levels of self-control may facilitate the attainment of greater satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and subsequently foster self-authenticity. This is likely to have a positive impact on both subjective well-being and psychological well-being. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the underlying mechanisms through which self-regulation predicts adolescent well-being.