When Values Guide the Way: The Relationship Between Value-Congruent Behavior and Resilience Through the Pathway of Perceived Stress.

Abstract

Values are fundamental beliefs that guide individuals’ decisions and behaviors. When people act in alignment with their personal values, they tend to experience less inner conflict and better emotional regulation. In contrast, acting against one’s values can increase internal conflicts, discomfort and stress. Stress arises when perceived demands are overwhelming or exceed a person’s abilities. In such cases, stress can negatively affect mental health and resilience. Helping individuals manage their perception of stress by encouraging behavior that aligns with their values may support their resilience—the capacity to adapt and recover from difficulties with mental health as an outcome. This study examined how value-congruent behavior relates to perceived stress and resilience. Using an online survey, participants reported their alignment with values, perceived stress, and resilience. The results suggested that behaving in accordance with one’s values was linked to lower perceived stress and higher resilience. The relationship between value-congruent behavior and resilience was fully mediated by perceived stress. These findings highlight the role of value-congruent behavior in managing stress and enhancing resilience. Encouraging individuals to act according to their values may be an effective strategy in psychological interventions aimed at improving stress management and increasing long-term well-being. Future research should explore these relationships and test causality with experimental intervention designs, over time, and in different populations.