Researcher: Sally McGhee

Background: Previous research has predominantly focused on correlates of bistrategic resource control in children and adolescents, while little is known about its positive outcomes, such as well-being and self-efficacy, in emerging adults. The present study aimed to explore associations between the combination of prosocial and coercive strategies (i.e., bistrategic), overall resource control, well-being, and self-efficacy in emerging adults.

Method: Participants, 634 emerging adults aged 18-25 (M = 20.40, SD = 1.96), completed an online survey measuring these variables. 

Results: Results revealed that both coercive and prosocial strategies positively predicted overall resource control. Prosocial strategies were positively associated with well-being, but this association was stronger at high levels of coercive strategies (i.e., bistrategic). No significant associations emerged between resource control strategies and self-efficacy. 

Conclusion: These findings support the importance of bistrategic resource control for well-being in emerging adults, while also suggesting a need for further exploration of self-efficacy and its association with resource control.