Self-control—the ability to regulate our attention, emotions and behaviors—emerges in childhood and grows throughout life, but the skill varies widely among individuals. Past studies have reported that self-control is partially inherited and partially learned and that those with less self-control are more likely to be unemployed, engage in unhealthy behaviors such as overeating, and live a shorter life. A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA tying childhood self-control to health and well-being in adulthood suggests that everyone, not just those most lacking the skill, would benefit from a self-control boost.
Psychologist Terrie E. Moffitt of Duke University and her team focused on the self-control of a group of 1,037 children born in 1972 and 1973 in Dunedin, New Zealand. The investigators observed the children and took reports from parents and teachers every two years from the ages of three to 11. They evaluated the kids’ attention, persistence and impulsiveness in a variety of settings to determine each child’s level of self-control. Finally, when these New Zealanders reached the age of 32, the researchers assessed their health, financial stability and court records.
The study found that children with lower self-control were more likely as adults to have poor health, be single parents, depend on drugs or alcohol, have difficulties with money and possess a criminal record.
In addition to surveying and ruling out intelligence and socioeconomic status as possible explanations, the team explored whether differences in upbringing could play a role. To test this idea, the Duke researchers turned to 509 pairs of British twins born in 1994 and 1995. The team appraised the twins’ self-control at age five. The sibling who had less self-control was more likely to begin smoking, behave badly and struggle in school at age 12.
Moffitt notes that within the Dunedin group, the more self-control a child had, the better off he or she was as an adult. “Even children who are above average on self-control could have improved life outcomes if they increase their self-control skills,” Moffitt says. Programs that teach self-control—in school settings, for example—are effective. Thus, the Duke team posits, intervening during childhood could give all kids a better future. [For a related story on the link between intelligence and health risks, see “Outsmarting Mortality.”]
Editor's note: This article was printed with the title, "Where There's a Will...."
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7 Comments
Add CommentThe fast food industry might be a better place to conduct this study.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhether you appreciate the TV series "19 Kids and Counting" or not, you have to appreciate the consistent values and loving teaching of Michelle Dugger. In one episode she has a very young son sit and learn self-control to receive the benefit of listening to older siblings playing their musical instruments. Michelle explains her reasoning and the process saying that self-control is the first thing a child needs to learn. This report validates her understanding of children's needs to become well-balanced adults.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf every child is unique and rear different way by parent how can we draw a conclusion on self -control? From birth child also active and his brain developed with his learning.I think roll of parent is minimum to mold the behavior of child.There are lots of thing which happening around the circumstances how brain of child experiences them and draw a meaning from that happening, that also important for development of child.Child is not only a passive receiver can mold him with the whim of so called psychologists.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis reminds me of a comment posted by Ian Yorston on February 09, 2004. I hope he will not object to my reprinting it here:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"A test of both general ability and much else besides was discovered by psychologists in the late 1960s. No examinations are involved, no questionnaires, or psychometric testing. All it requires is a bag of marshmallows.
"The Marshmallow Test emerged during studies by Walter Mischel and his colleagues at Stanford University into the ability of children to delay gratification. In a series of experiments, they measured this ability by putting a marshmallow on a plate and telling the child that he can help himself - or wait until the researcher gets back in 15 minutes, in which case he will be given an extra marshmallow.
"Predictably enough, some of the children wolfed down the marshmallow immediately, while others decided to wait and get the bigger reward. The researchers were struck by how those who waited devised ways of avoiding temptation, from talking or singing to themselves to inventing simple games; one even decided to doze off.
"The real surprise, however, came a decade later, when Prof Mischel and his colleagues tracked down the children to see what kind of people they were turning into. They found that the children who had been best at delaying gratification had better academic and social skills. They typically achieved much higher Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, were less likely to be distracted, more motivated to succeed and were better at making and keeping friends."
Why is being a single parent lumped in with all the "undesirable" attributes of a less successful person? I sense a possible religious bias...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNa, the kid who gets and keeps a good job has connections. All four of my children were taught self control and did not crawl under the pews at church but did devise means to torment teachers in elementary school... at times. The kids who were crawlers and wall climbers in their classes were the teachers pets due to daddy being the principal, deacon, county commissioner and they have jobs in the area where they grew up. My kids had to move to find decent paying jobs and while they always have a job, it is often not great paying even though they have finished high school and some or even college. No, self control is not a defining characteristic, look at the Kennedy's and Bush's. Yep, its all about who you are related to and who their buddies happen to be as in Saudi Princes who keep you in money.
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