Longitudinal Associations between Self-Control and Pro-Environmental Behaviors

Previous studies have revealed a positive association between self-control (SC) and pro-environmental behaviors (PEB). However, most of these studies have relied primarily on cross-sectional designs, thus limiting knowledge regarding the dynamic relationship between SC and PEB over time. The present study addresses this gap by adopting a longitudinal approach. In Study 1, SC and PEB were measured across two waves among 221 Chinese high school students. Cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) revealed that SC predicted subsequent PEB. In Study 2, SC and PEB were measured across three waves among 1,286 Chinese university students. The CLPMs replicated the findings of Study 1, demonstrating rank-order cross-lagged effects of SC on PEB. More importantly, random-intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs) revealed that SC was positively associated with PEB at the between-person level, such that individuals with higher SC exhibited greater PEB. However, no cross-lagged effects emerged at the within-person level, suggesting that changes in an individual's SC do not directly alter their PEB. These findings indicate that while SC is a stable trait associated with individual differences in PEB, naturally occurring SC fluctuations may not drive short-term behavioral change, highlighting the potential value of exploring strategies that minimize reliance on SC capacity or resources and considering SC as a criterion for selecting individuals for key environmental roles.