SELF-REGULATION AND SELF-COMPASSION IN HEALTHPROMOTING AND RISK-TAKING BEHAVIORS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Self-regulation (SR) and Self-compassion (SC) emerge as effective psychological resources for promoting health. Objective: To describe health-promoting and risk-taking behaviors of university students in Chile and establish their relationship with SR and SC. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive correlational study. A sample of Chilean undergraduate students (n=544) responded to a health questionnaire and the Short Self- Regulation Questionnaire and Self-Compassion Scale. Results: Low frequency of health-promoting behaviors and presence of risk-taking behaviors such as tobacco use (22.6%), drug use (41.3%) and problematic alcohol use (20.3%) were observed. SR impulse control was associated with a higher probability of healthy eating behavior (OR=1.56; CI 95%: 1.12-2.19; p <0.01) and better sleep quality (OR=1,7; CI: 1.24-2.38; p <0.01). Mindfulness, a component of SC, was associated with less regular physical activity (OR=0.69; CI: 0.49-0.95; p <0.05) and lower consumption of non-prescription drugs (OR=0.54; CI: 0.32-0.91; p <0.05), and selfjudgment was related to a higher consumption of non-prescription drugs (OR=1.83; CI: 1.03-3.28; p <0.05). Conclusion: Impulse control influences both eating and sleep regulation, which are domains that tend to be altered among university students. SC is related to a lower probability of consuming non-prescription drugs. Both SR and SC emerge as potentially useful resources for promoting healthy habits and preventing risk behaviors.