The Cross-Lagged Associations between Authentic Inner Compass and Self-Control among Chinese College Students
摘要
College students are in a critical period for defining their life direction, yet they often face external temptations that challenge the development of an authentic inner compass (AIC), underscoring the importance of their self-control during the same period. This study examined the reciprocal associations between the development of AIC and self-control among Chinese college students, who may experience heightened autonomy-related challenges in university settings. Participants (N = 2014; 64% female; mean age = 18.35 years at Wave 1) from eight Chinese public universities completed online surveys annually across four waves from 2020 to 2023, reporting on their AIC and self-control at least twice. AIC was assessed using Yu et al. (Current Psychology, 40, 887–894,