Chapter 8: Self-Beliefs and Self-Regulation in Health Behavior Change

Self-regulation refers to all human contexts where goal setting and goal striving are at stake. It is related to self-control, self-discipline, or willpower and applies to various domains of human functioning. In a general sense, self-regulation is a process that includes setting goals for oneself, what courses of action one chooses to pursue, how much effort one invests in given endeavors, and how long one perseveres in the face of barriers and setbacks (Bandura, 1997; Baumeister, Heatherton, & Tice, 1994; Carver & Scheier, 1998; Kuhl, 2001; Mischel, Cantor, & Feldman, 1996). It encompasses reflective as well as nonconscious processes that guide goal-directed thoughts and behaviors in a more or less adaptive way.