Author(s): WEGNER, M., PIESCH, L., MARION-JETTEN, A.S., Institution: HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITÄT ZU BERLIN, Country: GERMANY, Abstract-ID: 2056

Introduction
Different recent theories point to the fact that self-regulation might not be independent from other people. Yet, several conceptualizations operationalize self-regulation primarily as an individual process although other people might be, more or less, strongly involved in the regulation of behavior. For the present study, we empirically investigated whether self-regulation of stress might not be independent of the strength of people’s motives that vary with regard to how strongly they are concerned with others.

Methods
N = 291 German individuals aged M = 33.7 years (SD = 12.4) working primarily in the social and care sector participated in the study (n = 66 men). Participants’ implicit motives (dimensions: achievement, affiliation, power) were measured using the PSE. Self-regulation competencies were operationalized using the VCQ (subscales: self-regulation, self-control, self-access, volitional development). Individual stress regulation strategies were measured using the Tend-and-Befriend questionnaire (strategies: flight, fight, tend and befriend). A cluster analysis was conducted to identify motive-regulation patterns in the data. Mediation analyses were used to test the hypothesis that the effect of motives on stress regulation is mediated by general self-regulation strategies.

Results
Results of the cluster analysis propose two clusters: Cluster one involved people high in the power motive and individuals tending to use flight as well as fight strategies for stress regulation. The second cluster involved people high in the achievement or affiliation motive and tend to use tend-and-befriend strategies for stress regulation. The mediation analysis did not indicate a full mediation as hypothesized. However, results indicate that people with stronger access to the self are more likely to use tend-and-befriend strategies to regulate stress and tend to avoid flight or fight strategies.

Discussion
The results of the present study suggest that implicit motives and self-regulation competencies influence stress regulation patterns, that is, people’s tendencies to use fight, flight, or tend-and-befriend in reaction to stressors. People working in the social and care sector might show different motivational and self-regulatory profiles and might not benefit as much from classic stress-regulation interventions which utilize more individual-focused strategies of regulation. The present research intends to contribute to the understanding of how motives and general self-regulation competencies are intertwined with stress-regulation strategies.