Impact of perceived scarcity on delay of gratification: meditation effects of self-efficacy and self-control

This study employed the perceived scarcity, self-control, self-efficacy, and delayed gratification scales to explore the relationship among perceived scarcity, self-efficacy, self-control, and delayed gratification as well as the mediating role of self-efficacy and self-control between perceived scarcity and delayed gratification. A cross-sectional survey was conducted via an online survey platform with 1,109 Chinese college students. The results showed that perceived scarcity was negatively correlated with individual self-efficacy, self-control, and delayed gratification, while self-efficacy and self-control played a partial parallel-mediated role between perceived scarcity and delayed gratification. The mediation model accounted for 28% of the variance in delayed gratification. Moreover, the results indicated that perceived scarcity can reduce the delay in gratification through its negative impact on individual self-efficacy and self-control. To some extent, this result explains how perceived scarcity delays gratification from the perspective of motivation and cognition and provides support for further research on the intervention of perceived scarcity's psychological and behavioral consequences.PMID:37359664 | PMC:PMC10031180 | DOI:10.1007/s12144-023-04455-x
Source: Current Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Source Type: research