Dynamics of mental structures regulating of mental states in the first half of the circadian rhythm

Context and relevance. The ability to manage mental states is an important factor for success in both academic and professional activities. The theoretical basis of the study is the concept of mental regulation of mental states that we are developing. Objective: to reveal the dynamics of the functional structures of mental regulation of mental states in the first half of the circadian cycle (the morning-evening range). Hypothesis. There are qualitative differences in the structure of the relationships between mental regulation indicators and typical mental states depending on the time of wakefulness. Methods and materials. The study was conducted in the current time intervals (morning, afternoon, evening), which coincided with the duration of the working day. Eighty people (M = 25.7 years, SD = 4.6, 59% women) took part in it. The study used standardized methods for diagnosing mental structures of self-regulation (reflexive, semantic, the I system), mental states, as well as the author's questionnaire to study the methods of self-regulation of states. In the author's questionnaire, which we used at the stage of collecting empirical data, the list of mental states included different classes of states — cognitive, functional and emotional. Results. Qualitative differences in the structures of mental regulation of mental states in the first half of the daily circadian rhythm have been established. In the morning hours, the leading indicators of mental regulation are the indicators of “locus of control life”, “life effectiveness” and the self-regulation method “self-control”. During the day, mental self-regulation is weakly expressed. In the evening, the indicators of mental regulation are uniformly included in the interaction with states, the leading position is occupied by the regulatory actions “water procedures”, “eating” and “listening to music”. Conclusions. In the first half of the circadian rhythm, mental self-regulation of mental states is most involved in the morning and evening hours; in the middle of the day, the involvement of mental self-regulation indicators in changes in mental states is insignificant.