Abstract:

Objective · To test the effect of ego depletion and emotion regulation on students' health consumption choice, according to online social network. Methods · The undergraduate students in a university in East China were taken as the research object. Public health psychology experiments were designed, using Stroop priming the extent of ego depletion, and SSEIT measuring the extent of emotional regulation. Results · When participants experienced high level ego depletion, for those who possessed weak emotional regulation capability, they were more inclined to select less healthy food(77% vs 18%, χ2=15.40, P=0.000). For those who possessed strong emotional regulation capability, there was no significant difference on food choice between those who experienced high level ego depletion and those who experienced low level ego depletion (40% vs 27%, χ2=0.91, P=0.340). For participants who experienced high level ego depletion, compared to those who overcame ego depletion and those who experienced low level ego depletion, were more inclined to select less healthy product (69% vs 23%, χ2=11.10, P=0.001), while there was no significant difference between those who experienced low level ego depletion and those who overcame ego depletion (32% vs 23%, χ2=0.51, P=0.470). Conclusion · When students experienced different level ego depletion, they chose different healthy consumption choice because of the different capability of emotional regulation. For students who possessed weak emotional regulation capability, they should be encouraged to choice healthy consumption, and interesting show should be organized to bring them positive emotion. They should also be encouraged to do long-term physical training to overcome the sensitivity to fatigue. Finally, They should be informed to realize the healthy consumption by active communication and interaction such as like, share and comment in social media.

Key words: ego depletion, emotional regulation, healthy consumption