Regular Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction: Unpacking the Roles of Self-Control and Emotion Regulation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise and physical activity have many benefits for the body and mind. This study examined the possible mediating effects of self-control and forms of emotion regulation on life satisfaction. 186 adults participated in the online survey, answering questions about regular participation in physical activity and completing 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, including cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Based on self-reported average minutes spent exercising per week, subjects 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 the level of physical activity 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 emotional regulation.
Source: Applied Sciences
DOI: 10.3390/app15041878
Institution: Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W4407397429