Mind over matter: Examining the impact of beliefs on impulse control and cognitive failures in leading a healthy lifestyle

Abstract

Health awareness and attitudes towards healthy lifestyles play a vital role in overall well-being and comfort. Understanding the factors that drive healthy behaviors is crucial for promoting positive lifestyle choices. This study examines the relationships between behavioral disinhibition, impulsivity, cognitive beliefs, and their influence on impulsive behavior, lifestyle, and diet. The research hypotheses posit negative associations between impulsivity and lifestyle/diet, positive associations between inhibition and lifestyle/diet, and a moderating effect of healthy lifestyle beliefs on inhibition and lifestyle/diet. A convenience sample of 50 participants over 18 years of age, proficient in English, and free from visual or auditory impairments was recruited. The study consisted of a questionnaire phase where participants completed measures of healthy lifestyle beliefs (HLBS), mental health (GHQ), dietary habits (FFQ), and impulsivity (BIS). This was followed by a laboratory phase involving the Stop-Signal task to assess attentional ability (MRTV) and inhibitory control (SSRT). Methodological adjustments were made during the study, leading to the removal of non-significant variables (BIS, FFQ) and refining the statistical model to investigate the relationships between HLBS, GHQ, SSRT, and MRTV. The analysis revealed that only the coefficient estimate for MRTV was statistically significant (p = .03). These findings indicate that neither the interaction between GHQ and SSRT nor the moderation of MRTV had a substantial impact on individuals' healthy lifestyle beliefs (HLBS). Additionally, there was no significant interaction effect between GHQ, SSRT, MRTV, and HLBS. The discussion and conclusion provide an interpretation of the findings. The study did not find support for the relationship between GHQ, SSRT, and HLBS, nor did the moderation of MRTV yield significant results. However, the results did reveal a significant positive association between MRTV and HLBS. This positive association underscores the importance of cognitive flexibility in promoting engagement in healthy lifestyle activities. The findings suggest that individuals with greater attentional capacity are more likely to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In summary, this study sheds light on the complex interplay between behavioral disinhibition, impulsivity, cognitive beliefs, and their impact on impulsive behavior, lifestyle, and diet. The positive association between attentional capacity (MRTV) and healthy lifestyle beliefs highlights the role of cognitive flexibility in promoting healthy behaviors. These findings contribute to our understanding of the factors influencing healthy lifestyle choices and have implications for interventions aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles.