Impact of Metacognition on Health-Related Behavior: A Mediation Model Study

Overview

Journal J Environ Public Health

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2023 Feb 10

PMID 36761241

Authors

Yue Li

Jiaxing Tang

Xiaoran Ma

Xiaomin Zhang

Yansong Xue

Xiang Zhao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to explore the correlation mechanism among metacognition, attitude toward physical exercise, and health-related behavior in high school students.

Methods: A total of 869 students (17 ± 1.70) from Anhui, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Fujian provinces were selected by stratified sampling to complete the Metacognition Questionnaire, Health-Related Behavior Self-Rating Scale, Attitude Toward Physical Exercise Scale, and Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (Simplified Chinese version, DASS-21).

Results: (1) Metacognition was negatively predictive of attitude toward physical exercise and health-related behavior ( = -0.236, < 0.01; = -0.239, < 0.01) but positively predictive of negative emotion ( = 0.496, < 0.01); (2) attitude toward physical exercise was positively predictive of health-related behavior ( = 0.533, < 0.01) but negatively predictive of negative emotion ( = -0.336, < 0.01); and (3) negative emotion was negatively predictive of health-related behavior ( = -0.389, < 0.01).

Conclusions: Metacognition not only has a directly predictive effect on health-related behavior but also predicts it through attitude toward physical exercise. Negative emotion also mediates the relationship between metacognition and attitude toward physical exercise.

Citing Articles

Metacognitive function in young adults is impacted by physical activity, diet, and sleep patterns.

Gooderham G, Handy T PLoS One. 2025; 20(1):e0317253.

PMID: 39787158 PMC: 11717208. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317253.

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