Examining Emotion Controllability Beliefs: Impact on Mind-Wandering through Self-Regulation and Body-Mind Connection

Vimala Venugopal Muthuswamy

King Faisal University. Saudi Arabia.

D. Kesavan

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.

Abstract

This research examined the interaction between beliefs about emotion controllability, self-regulation, and mind-wandering, focusing specifically on the mediating role of self-regulation and the moderating role of the body-mind connection. The study was carried out in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide theoretical and practical insights into the processes that are at the intersection of psychological belief and physiological awareness influencing cognitive and emotional regulation. The study follows a quantitative cross-sectional research design, using the data collected from 256 educators in Saudi Arabia. Validated scales were used for measuring the constructs, while the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied for analyzing the data. Measurement and structural models were applied to address both individual hypotheses on relationships and the mediation and moderation effects within the framework. Results indicate that controllability beliefs about emotions significantly enhance self-regulation and diminish mind-wandering. The role of self-regulation mediated between controllability beliefs and mind-wandering, but the body-mind connection moderated the link between self-regulation and mind-wandering. The findings point out the essential roles psychological beliefs and physiological awareness play in developing emotional resilience and cognitive focus. This research extends theoretical models by integrating emotion controllability beliefs and body-mind connection into frameworks of self-regulation and mind-wandering. The findings offer actionable insights for educators, clinicians, and organizational leaders to enhance emotional and cognitive performance through targeted interventions.

Beliefs about emotion controllability, Body-mind connection, Mind-wandering, Self-regulation.