The effects of time and money scarcity on regulatory focus: The mediating role of sense of control

Abstract

Regulatory focus involves two motivational systems: the promotion focus, aimed at achieving positive outcomes through proactive behaviors, and the prevention focus, centered on avoiding negative outcomes. These systems have been widely studied and influenced by factors such as resource scarcity. To conduct a comparative study of the effects of time and money scarcity on regulatory focus, this study used a questionnaire study and two experimental studies. The results of Study 1 (N = 371) revealed that both time scarcity and money scarcity positively predicted individuals' prevention focus, but they differed in that time scarcity did not significantly predict individuals' promotion focus, whereas money scarcity negatively predicted individuals' promotion focus. Study 2 (N = 159) revalidated the similarities and differences found in Study 1 by manipulating either time scarcity or money scarcity and revealed a causal relationship between (time and money) scarcity and regulatory focus. Study 3 (N = 178), which also used an experimental approach, revealed a crucial mediating role of sense of control based on the validation of the similarities and differences mentioned above. This study not only answered the theoretical contradictions with an empirical study but also provided an important perspective on comparative research on the influence of the sense of scarcity on regulatory focus and emphasized the key role of the sense of control.