Self-control under stress: The role of learned resourcefulness

Abstract

Successful coping with stressful events involves self-regulation. We identified three kinds of self-regulatory process. The first occurs automatically and unconsciously in order to maintain the homeostasis of a person's physiological functions; the other two are under the person's cognitive and voluntary control. Redressive self-control is aimed at resuming normal functions that have been disrupted; reformative self-control is directed at breaking habits in order to adopt new and more effective behaviors. Coping with acute stress requires redressive self-control; the adoption of new behaviors such as health related behaviors requires reformative self-control. Learned resourcefulness refers to the behavioral repertoire necessary for both redressive self-control and reformative self-control. This repertoire includes self-regulating one's emotional and cognitive responses during stressful situations, using problem-solving skills, and delaying immediate gratification for the sake of more meaningful rewards in the future. Research findings indicate that highly resourceful individuals cope more effectively with stressful situations and are more capable of adopting health related behaviors as well as other behaviors that require reformative self-control.