The effects of temptation coping strategies on self-control in academic contexts:

The moderating role of goal importance and difficulty

Abstract

This study examined the moderating role of the importance and difficulty of a goal in the relationship between temptation coping strategies and goal-directed behaviors in an academic context. Data was collected from university students (N = 64) by using a weekly diary for six weeks. The results of multilevel analysis indicated that the moderating effects of a goal’s importance and difficulty depended on the type of temptation coping strategy. The goal’s importance and difficulty moderated the relationship between goal verification and goal-directed behaviors, whereas only the goal’s difficulty moderated the relationship between goal execution and goal-directed behaviors. However, temptation avoidance promoted goal-directed behaviors regardless of a goal’s characteristics. These findings suggest the benefits of considering a goal’s characteristics when choosing a temptation coping strategy.