Greater Self-control Research Articles

Catholic Schooling and Self-Discipline: Outcomes for Early Elementary Students

ABSTRACT Research Findings: As the largest alternative to public education in the United States, Catholic schools distinguish themselves by prioritizing self-discipline along with academic development. Yet, in assessing the role of Catholic schools in child outcomes, almost no research has focused on self-discipline, even though self-discipline is foundational in children’s academic success and development. More so, little attention has been paid to outcomes for young students. Using a nationally representative dataset, we found that children in grades K-2 had more self-discipline compared to other children, as operationalized as fewer externalizing behaviors and greater self-control. Practice or Policy: These findings are generalizable to all children in Catholic schools, and not necessarily specific to a single group. Implications for policy and practice are discussed as well as for Catholic and other types of schools.

The relationship between phubbing and social relationships among Turkish college students: mediating roles of self-control and empathy

ABSTRACT Objective This study explored whether self-control and empathy mediate the link between phubbing and the quality of social relationships. Method A total of 664 Turkish university students (373 female), aged 18–34 (M = 20.66, SD = 2.02), completed an online survey including the Phubbing Scale, Brief Multidimensional Self-Control Scale, Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, and Social Relationship Scale. Results Higher phubbing was associated with lower self-control and empathy, and weaker relationships with family, friends, and neighbours. In contrast, greater self-control and empathy were positively linked to stronger social connections. Mediation analyses showed that self-control and empathy both mediated the negative impact of phubbing on social relationships. Conclusion These findings suggest that phubbing weakens social bonds by reducing self-control and empathy. However, individuals with stronger self-control and empathy are more likely to maintain close relationships, despite frequent technology use. Interventions that promote mindful phone use and strengthen emotional and behavioural regulation skills may help young adults build and sustain healthier social ties.

Intergenerational Transmission of Preferences for Redistribution: The Case of Uruguay

We explore whether preferences for redistributive policies are transmitted from parents to children and study the empirical relevance of three modulators: family mobility, parents’ personality traits, and children’s abilities. We draw on a novel and rich dataset, the Longitudinal Study of Well-being in Uruguay. We use a flexible model to explain the intergenerational persistence. We find that, on average, the intergenerational persistence of preferences for redistribution is relatively high. However, there is heterogeneity associated with parents’ learning. Finally, the intergenerational transmission of preferences is more relevant when intergenerational mobility is lower, parents have greater self-control, and children present higher abilities.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Exploring Its Relationship with Self-Control and Self-Regulation in College Students

This study investigates the potential influence of self-control and self-regulation on Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) among students. FoMO is characterized by an apprehension of being excluded from significant experiences or opportunities. Individuals with low self-control may struggle to prioritize positive behaviors, potentially leading to heightened FoMO. Similarly, a lack of self-regulation, the ability to manage thoughts and guide actions towards goals, might exacerbate FoMO. The current research employs a quantitative, descriptive correlational design. The study population comprised 2,245 students from the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training at Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kerinci. A sample of 304 participants, representing 10 departments, was selected. Data collection utilized three validated scales: the Self-Control Scale, the Self-Regulation Questionnaire, and the Fear of Missing Out Scale. The hypothesis proposing a significant negative association between self-control/self-regulation and FoMO was supported (p < 0.05). This suggests that both self-control and self-regulation have a combined effect on FoMO. In simpler terms, individuals with greater self-control and self-regulation may experience lower levels of FoMO. Future research could explore specific factors contributing to FoMO development. Additionally, expanding the sample size might enhance the generalizability of findings.

Media multitasking, ego depletion, and employee depression: Selfcontrol as a moderator

Employees frequently have to use various media to complete multiple tasks at work, and depression has become a common problem influencing their mental health and work efficiency. We conducted a survey to investigate the relationship between the media multitasking and depression of 490 employees of a state-owned enterprise in China. The results showed that media multitasking was positively correlated with employee depression. Moreover, ego depletion significantly mediated the relationship between media multitasking and depression, and self-control moderated the relationship between ego depletion and depression. Greater self-control may help buffer the effect of ego depletion on depression. These results have theoretical and practical implications for improving employees' mental health during China's enterprise transformation process.

The Level of Emotional Intelligence in Medical Imaging Students

Introduction: Emotional intelligence (EI) is a crucial skill that aids students on how to cope with challenging nature of the academic. Emotionally intelligent persons are emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and physically balanced. This study is aimed to evaluate the average level of EI in medical imaging students whether it is significantly different from the EI value set at 2.5 (high level of emotional intelligence). Methods: This cross-sectional study used the adopted Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) questionnaire. Purposive sampling method was conducted on 89 medical imaging students. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. One sample T-test and Pearson correlation test were conducted with the significant p-values were set at <0.05. Results: : The results showed that the medical imaging students’ EI overall mean score was 3.84 (SD:0.38) with p-value of <0.001. There were also significant p-values of <0.001 for all 10 sub-dimensions of EIS. However, there is no significant correlation was found between level of emotional intelligence and year of study of the respondents 0.69 (r-value:-0.043). Significant high level of EI in medical imaging students could plausibly cause the students to have the ability to perceive themselves as efficient, enthusiastic, cheerful, satisfied, and always tend to stay optimistic in life, have greater self-control, able to endure pressure and manage tension, and are conscientious. Conclusion: High emotional intelligence students were predicted to be more poised for success in the future healthcare professions and industries.

The Dangers of Short-Term Confinement: Indicators of Safety Risks Among Individuals in Jail.

Guided by the premise that an individual's safety may be more at risk when their routines, personal attributes, or lack of guardianship influence their opportunity for exposure to violence, we examined the factors that influenced victimization risks and safety perceptions among a representative sample of respondents incarcerated at a large Midwestern jail. Results showed that vulnerable individuals such as those who were victimized prior to their incarceration, and those who antagonized others such as those who perpetrated assault, were threatened more often, were more at risk of assault victimization, and perceived more dangerous conditions. Conversely, females and individuals with greater self-control were less likely to have experienced victimization and generally felt safer in jail. Our results illustrate the importance of identifying and protecting individuals who might experience greater safety risks during jail incarceration and should be interpreted alongside research and policy aimed at improving safety and welfare within correctional institutions.

General health, depression and anxiety among students practicing yoga and not practicing yoga

The word “yoga” comes from a Sanskrit root “yuj” which means union, or yoke, to join, and to direct and concentrate one's attention. (Laster J, Raub, J.A. 1997, 2002) Regular practice of yoga promotes strength, endurance, flexibility and facilitates characteristics of friendliness, compassion, and greater self-control, while cultivating a sense of calmness and well-being. (Collins, C 1998, McCall T. 2007) [12] Student’s mental health issue is a raising around the globe which needs to be addressed. Universities around the world are faced with an increasing prevalence of mental health problems among their students (Auerbach et al., 2018; Hunt & Eisenberg, 2010). As mental health issues raise most of the feel face depression and anxiety. These mental health issues needs to be addressed at the right time and help the young people to cope with such issues. The objective of the study was to find the difference among the students those practicing yoga and not practicing yoga with regard to their general health, depression and anxiety. The sample consisted of 60 college students among which 30 were practicing yoga and 30 students were not practicing yoga. A purposive sampling technique was opted for the study. The mean, SD, and “t’ was computed using appropriate statistical measures. The results revealed that the students practicing yoga had good general health, did not have any symptoms of depression and anxiety than those not practicing yoga.

Trust in the Police during the Pro-Democracy Movement in Hong Kong: Psychosocial Factors of Perceived Procedural and Distributive Justice.

Hong Kong has experienced social unrest in response to the proposed anti-extradition bill since early June 2019. Demonstrations and rallies have often ended in violent clashes between protestors and the police. Based on a sample of 1024 Hong Kong adults, this study explored the psychosocial factors underlying public perceptions of police procedural and distributive justice among Hong Kongers. Testing the propositions of several criminological theories (i.e., neutralization theory, the general aggression model, general strain theory, and self-control theory), the findings indicated that men reported significantly more positive general perceptions of police procedural and distributive justice, better general mental health, and more negative attitudes toward violence than women did. Young adults perceived significantly higher levels of police general, procedural, and distributive justice than did their middle-aged and older counterparts, who reported significantly better general mental health and greater self-control. Multivariate analyses indicated that across all age groups, better general mental health, greater self-control, and more negative attitudes toward violence were significantly associated with positive perceptions of police general, procedural, and distributive justice. This study concludes with practical guidance for enhancing public perceptions of police procedural and distributive fairness.

“Every Sinner Has a Future”: Religiosity, Future Orientation, Self-Control, and Marijuana Use

Based on previous research, I hypothesize that religious adolescents living in the United States are more likely to have a future orientation (i.e., they are more likely to think about the future), which in turn contributes to their greater self-control. I also hypothesize that a future orientation and self-control mediate the effect of religious service attendance and importance of religion on adolescent marijuana use. Based on the second wave of the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), I find partial support for these hypotheses. Adolescents who believe that religion is important are more likely to think about the future, and adolescents who attend religious services frequently are less likely to use marijuana. Contrary to expectations, however, adolescents who think more about the future have lower self-control and thinking about the future and self-control do not explain the relationship between religious service attendance and marijuana use. The results also suggest that adolescents who identify as spiritual but not religious have lower self-control, and use marijuana more frequently compared to adolescents who do not identify as spiritual but not religious.

A Cross-Cultural Study on Attachment and Adjustment Difficulties in Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Self-Control in Italy, Spain, China, and Poland.

From a socio-ecological perspective, individuals are influenced by the interplay of individual, relational, and societal factors operating as a broader system. Thereby, to support youth adjustment during the critical adolescence period, the interplay between these factors should be investigated. This study aimed to investigate cross-cultural differences in adolescents’ maternal and paternal attachment, adolescents’ adjustment difficulties and self-control, and in their association. N = 1000 adolescents (mean (M) age = 16.94, SD = 0.48; 45.90% males) from China, Italy, Spain, and Poland participated by completing self-report measures. Results showed cross-country similarities and differences among the considered variables and their associative pattern. Moreover, conditional process analysis evaluating the association between maternal vs. paternal attachment and adjustment difficulties, mediated by self-control, and moderated by country, was performed. Maternal attachment directly, and indirectly through greater self-control, influenced adjustment difficulties in all four countries. This association was stronger among Spaniards. Paternal attachment influenced directly, and indirectly through self-control, on adolescents’ adjustment difficulties only in Italy, Spain, and Poland, and was stronger among Polish adolescents. For Chinese adolescents, paternal attachment solely associated with adjustment difficulties when mediated by self-control. Thus, results highlighted both similarities and differences across countries in the interplay between maternal vs. paternal attachment and self-control on adolescents’ adjustment difficulties. Implications are discussed.

Associations between use of self-regulatory strategies and daily eating patterns: An experience sampling study in college-aged women

Previous theorizing suggests there are multiple means by which people regulate their emotions and impulses, but that these strategies vary in the degree to which they support goal attainment. Some have proposed that proactive strategies (e.g. situation selection, distraction) may be particularly effective, while interventive strategies (e.g. suppression) are less effective. Despite these diverging predictions, researchers have yet to examine spontaneous use of these strategies and their respective and combined efficacy when applied to momentary food desires experienced in daily life. In the present study, we assessed eating patterns for one week via ecological momentary assessment in college-aged women (N = 106). Results from pre-registered analyses indicated that using a variety of strategies, including preventative strategies such as situation selection and distraction, was associated with greater self-control success, as indexed by weaker desires, higher resistance, lower likelihood of enacting desires, and less food consumed. A similar pattern was observed when participants implemented additional strategies during desire episodes, which they were more likely to do when their desires conflicted with other self-regulatory goals. All associations were observed while controlling for momentary hunger levels, dieting status, age, and body mass index. These findings are consistent with a growing body of work assessing people’s spontaneous use of emotion regulation strategies in everyday contexts, suggesting potential meta-motivational tendencies marked by flexible and adaptive use of self-regulatory strategies.

코로나 19(COVID-19) 온라인 학습참여가 치위생(학)과 학생들의 자기통제력에 미치는 영향요인

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to measure dental hygiene students’ self-control, self-confidence, self-regulation, and task difficulty preferences for online learning; it also seeks to identify the factors that influence dental hygiene students’ self-control. Methods: An independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze differences in the self-control, self-confidence, self-regulation, and task difficulty preference of dental hygiene students currently enrolled in two universities in Busan. A Scheffe test was conducted, and a multiple linear regression analysis of the factors impacting self-control was conducted as well. Results: The results show that confidence and self-regulatory efficacy significantly influence participants’ self-control. Conclusions: Higher self-confidence and self-regulation are associated with greater self-control

Energy Balance-Related Behavior Risk Pattern and Its Correlates During COVID-19 Related Home Confinement.

Self-reported weight gain during the COVID-19 shelter-at-home has raised concerns for weight increases as the pandemic continues. We aimed to investigate the relationship of psychological and health markers with energy balance-related behaviors during the pandemic-related extended home confinement. Ratings for stress, boredom, cravings, sleep, self-control, and beliefs about weight control were collected from 1,609 adults using a questionnaire between April 24th–May 4th, 2020, while COVID-19 associated shelter-in-place guidelines were instituted across the US. We calculated four energy balance behavior scores (physical activity risk index, unhealthy eating risk index, healthy eating risk index, sedentary behavior index), and conducted a latent profile analysis of the risk factors. We examined psychological and health correlates of these risk patterns. Boredom, cravings for sweet/savory foods, and high sleepiness ratings related to high risk of increasing unhealthy eating and sedentary behavior and decreasing physical activity and healthy eating. Having greater self-control, control over cravings, or positive mood was related to lowering all aspects of energy intake and energy expenditure risks. Although individuals in risk pattern classes showed similarity in physical activity and healthy/unhealthy eating habits, they exhibited different patterns of positive mood, craving control, food cravings, boredom, and self-control. Psychological and health variables may have a significant role to play in risk behaviors associated with weight gain during the COVID-19 related home confinement. Emerging behavioral patterns may be meaningful in developing targeted weight management interventions during the current pandemic.

Predictors of cannabis use among first-time justice-involved youth: A cohort study

BackgroundJustice-involved youth use cannabis at higher rates than their same-aged peers increasing likelihood of adverse behavioral health consequences and continued legal involvement. This study examined individual level predictors of early onset use cannabis use (<13 years of age) and cannabis use initiation in the 12 months following first court contact. MethodsParticipants were 391 first-time justice-involved youth (56.9 % male; Mage = 14.6 years; 32.1 % White, 11.1 % Black, 14.7 % Other/Multi-racial, 42.2 % Latinx) and an involved caregiver (87.2 % female; Mage = 41.0 years). Baseline assessments captured individual level factors; cannabis use was assessed every four months post-baseline for 12 months. Primary analyses involved multivariable modified Poisson regressions and survival analysis. ResultsIn multivariable models, youth who reported lifetime cannabis use (n = 188, 48.1 %) were older, reported alcohol use and positive cannabis use expectancies. Greater self-control and self-concept were associated with lower likelihood of lifetime cannabis use. Youth who initiated cannabis during the 12-month follow-up (n = 30, 14.8 %) tended to be older, White/non-Latinx, and to report more psychiatric symptoms (posttraumatic stress, externalizing, internalizing, and affect dysregulation), delinquent behavior, lower levels of self-control, poorer self-concept, greater drug use intentions and positive cannabis expectancies. In the multivariable survival analysis, affect dysregulation, internalizing symptoms, and more positive cannabis expectancies remained independently and positively associated with cannabis initiation. ConclusionsThere is a critical and unique window of opportunity to prevent cannabis use initiation among first-time justice-involved youth. Research is needed to determine whether brief interventions that aim to modify expectancies about cannabis use reduce rates of cannabis initiation in this underserved population.

Intolerance of uncertainty, future time perspective, and self-control

Intolerance of uncertainty, future time perspective, and self-control

Does financial behavior mediate the relationship between self-control and financial security?

People have different financial behavior depending on their psychological characteristics, which can reflect their financial security. Self-control is also an important predictor of financial security. People with greater self-control are more likely to save money and less likely to get into debt. Therefore, they are more secure and satisfied with their financial situation. This paper explores whether good self-control directly affects financial security or if its impact comes indirectly through good financial behavior. For the purposes of the research, a survey analysis was designed and applied to a sample of 494 respondents. Structural equation modeling was used for testing the research hypothesis. The results confirmed that there is a significant mediating effect of financial behavior on the relationship between self-control and financial security. The research contributes to a better understanding of financial behavior predictors among individuals with different psychological characteristics. Future research should also include testing for differences between various demographic groups of people in the impact of self-control on financial behavior and security.

Locus of Control, Self-Control, and Gender as Predictors of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Children and Adolescents in Northern Chile.

BackgroundBoth the control that people attribute to themselves over a situation (locus of control) and the control they attribute to themselves (self-control) have been proposed as aspects that can have an effect on internalizing problems in young people. There is little evidence of this relationship in the infantile-juvenile population in Latin America.ObjectiveTo establish whether there is a significant predictive relationship of locus of control and self-control over internalizing and externalizing problems in the infantile-juvenile population, both at a general level and dimension-specific. These include depression, anxiety, social anxiety, somatic complaints, and post-traumatic stress.MethodsA cross-sectional-correlational study was carried out to establish if there was a possible predictive relationship in 3,664 schoolchildren of both primary (4th–6th grade) and secondary (7th–12th grade) in northern Chile, using the short version of the Nowicki-Strickland scale to measure locus of control, the Tangney scale to measure self-control, and the Child and Adolescent Evaluation System (SENA) to measure the dimensions of internalized problems.Hypotheses:(1) Greater self-control is associated with lower levels of internalizing and externalizing problems. (2) Higher external locus of control is associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing problems. (3) Self-control, locus of control, and gender can together significantly predict each of the internalizing and externalizing problems.ResultsEvidence is found to support the first two hypotheses fully and partially support the third, since gender did not function as a predictor in all models.ConclusionThe results confirm previous international research in that both locus of control and self-control appear to have a significant influence on internalizing and externalizing problems. Implications for mental health promotion in this population are discussed.

Assessing Similarities and Differences in Self-Control between Police Officers and Offenders

Research provides consistent evidence that non-offenders have greater self-control than offenders. While such differences exist across a range of samples, the ability of measures of self-control to discriminate between different groups merits additional attention. We advance research on this topic by comparing the self-control of police officers to offenders. Results indicate police officers score higher than offenders do on global self-control. Results also indicate that, when analyzing differences across the six dimensions of self-control conceptualized by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990), police officers consistently score lower in impulsivity, self-centeredness, and anger than offenders. At the same time, police officers have a greater preference for physical activities than offenders do, and the risk-seeking and simple tasks dimensions are inconsistently associated with being a police officer relative to an offender across the different models estimated. Discussion centers on the implications of these findings for theory and for the screening of potential police recruits.

A New Analysis on Self-Control in Intertemporal Choice and Mediterranean Dietary Pattern.

This paper completes Muñoz Torrecillas et al. (1) results and conclusions investigating the relationship between adherence to healthy dietary habits, specifically the Mediterranean Diet (hereinafter, MD), and impulsivity in intertemporal choices. Impulsivity can be defined as the strong preference for small immediate payoffs over larger delayed payoffs, and in the original study this behavior was captured by the parameter k (discount rate of the hyperbolic discount function), calculated using an automated scoring mechanism. Adherence to MD was measured by the KIDMED index and then grouped into three levels: high, medium, and low. While the authors observed that individuals in the high adherence group had the shallowest discounting and individuals in the low adherence group had the steepest discounting, the data were not statistically analyzed in depth. Therefore, the purpose of the present paper is to propose a preliminary quantitative model for this relationship and evaluate its significance. Tests revealed a significant interaction between adherence to MD and magnitude of delayed rewards when predicting discount rates. Specifically, the degree to which impulsivity decreases as adherence to MD increases is strongly influenced by delayed rewards of smaller magnitude. These findings are consistent with the authors' claims that healthy dietary habits may be closely linked with greater self-control when payoffs are small, and thus warrant further examination. The results do not indicate causality though, so future studies could also investigate the directions of this relationship as a means of developing behavioral interventions.