Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications

Psychol Bull. 2009 Jan;135(1):69-93. doi: 10.1037/a0014213.

Abstract

Many of the links of religiousness with health, well-being, and social behavior may be due to religion's influences on self-control or self-regulation. Using Carver and Scheier's (1998) theory of self-regulation as a framework for organizing the empirical research, the authors review evidence relevant to 6 propositions: (a) that religion can promote self-control; (b) that religion influences how goals are selected, pursued, and organized; (c) that religion facilitates self-monitoring; (d) that religion fosters the development of self-regulatory strength; (e) that religion prescribes and fosters proficiency in a suite of self-regulatory behaviors; and (f) that some of religion's influences on health, well-being, and social behavior may result from religion's influences on self-control and self-regulation. The authors conclude with suggestions for future research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Character
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Culture
  • Goals
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Meditation
  • Moral Development
  • Motivation
  • Personality Inventory
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Self Concept
  • Socialization
  • Spirituality