Measures Of Self-control Research Articles

Measuring Low Self-Control and Reactive Criminal Thinking in the NLSY–Child Sample: One Construct or Two?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a behavioral rating measure of low self-control and an attitudinal measure of low self-control can be viewed as measuring the same construct. It was hypothesized that the externalizing scale of the Behavior Problems Index (BPI-Ext), which served as a behavioral rating measure of low self-control in the current study, would display greater similarity to a 6-item self-report of antisocial, but not necessarily delinquent, behavior (SR-AB) measure than it would a 6-item attitudinal self-report measure of low self-control, labeled the reactive criminal thinking (SR-RCT) scale. This study was conducted on a sample of 6280 children (3144 boys, 3136 girls) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-Child (NLSY-C). A pair of confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the BPI-Ext and SR-RCT scales appeared to form two distinct constructs. In addition, the BPI-Ext correlated significantly better with the SR-AB than with the SR-RCT and the BPI-Ext and SR-AB achieved moderate negative correlations with measures of attention, concentration, achievement, and general aptitude, whereas the SR-RCT achieved small positive correlations. These results indicate that behavioral and attitudinal measures of low self-control are measuring different constructs, the former impulsive behavior and the latter reactive criminal thinking.

NAS-50 and NAS-40: New scales for the assessment of self-control

Abstract In this paper, we present a new questionnaire for the assessment of self-control as an individual trait. We describe the process of construction of this assessment tool. We also report the results of relevant validation studies. The questionnaire has two independent versions, one based on self-reports (NAS-50) and another one based on other-reports (NAS-40). The first version consists of five subscales (10 items each), called Initiative and Persistence (IP), Proactive Control (PC), Switching and Flexibility (SF), Inhibition and Adjournment (IA), and Goal Maintenance (GM). Seven samples of participants (N = 934 altogether) took part in the validation study. The second version has not been split into subscales. Both versions obtained satisfactory indices of internal consistency, assessed with Cronbach’s alpha (for NAS- 50 total score a = .861, for the subscales a between .726 and .867; for NAS-40 a = .844). The NAS-50 and NAS-40 scores were highly correlated with other measures of self-control, including Tangney, Baumeister, and Boone’s (2004) self-control scale. They also proved to be entirely independent of general intelligence. In conclusion, both versions can be regarded reliable and valid enough, and therefore suitable for the assessment of trait self-control for research purposes.

The impact of sexual arousal on elements of sexual decision making: Sexual self-restraint, motivational state, and self-control

Sexual arousal has been shown to have an impact on risk-taking and intentions to engage in risky sexual behaviour (e.g., Ariely & Loewenstein, 2006; Shuper & Fisher, 2008; Skakoon-Sparling, Cramer, & Shuper, 2016); however, the mechanisms underlying this effect are not well understood. To further investigate the effects of sexual arousal on sexual health decision-making, the current study was designed to examine the associations among self-control, sexual self-restraint, and motivational state, as well as the impact of sexual arousal on these factors. Forty-nine female and 26 male participants viewed either sexually arousing (experimental condition) or control video clips and responded to inventories designed to measure their self-control, sexual self-restraint, and meta-motivational state balance (within the Rules domain of Reversal Theory). A moderate positive correlation was found across all participants between self-control and self-restraint. Participants in the sexual arousal condition scored significantly lower on measures of self-control and sexual self-restraint; no effect was found for the meta-motivational state measure used. The results of this study suggest that sexual arousal either functions to deplete individuals' internal reserves of self-control or that it creates conditions that make it difficult to access the cognitive capacity to engage in self-control. This effect, combined with the correspondingly low score on our measure of sexual self-restraint, suggest that this may be an avenue through which sexual arousal negatively impacts sexual health decision-making.

Does self-control improve with practice? Evidence from a six-week training program.

Can self-control be improved through practice? Several studies have found that repeated practice of tasks involving self-control improves performance on other tasks relevant to self-control. However, in many of these studies, improvements after training could be attributable to methodological factors (e.g., passive control conditions). Moreover, the extent to which the effects of training transfer to real-life settings is not yet clear. In the present research, participants (N = 174) completed a 6-week training program of either cognitive or behavioral self-control tasks. We then tested the effects of practice on a range of measures of self-control, including lab-based and real-world tasks. Training was compared with both active and no-contact control conditions. Despite high levels of adherence to the training tasks, there was no effect of training on any measure of self-control. Trained participants did not, for example, show reduced ego depletion effects, become better at overcoming their habits, or report exerting more self-control in everyday life. Moderation analyses found no evidence that training was effective only among particular groups of participants. Bayesian analyses suggested that the data were more consistent with a null effect of training on self-control than with previous estimates of the effect of practice. The implication is that training self-control through repeated practice does not result in generalized improvements in self-control. (PsycINFO Database Record

The Effects of Low Self-Control and Delinquent Peers on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use in a Sample of Saudi Arabian Youth.

A considerable amount of research has examined patterns of substance use and the potential explanations of it among samples from the United States and other industrialized nations. To date, however, no research has explored these issues in a sample of Saudi Arabian youth. The current study addressed this gap in the literature and examined the lifetime use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco among Saudi Arabian youth. We also examined whether key measures from social learning theory and low self-control theory were able to account for patterns of usage. Data drawn from a sample of nearly 500 youth residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were used. Analysis of the data revealed that 12.7% of youth had smoked cigarettes at least 1 time, 2.6% had consumed alcohol at least once, and 3.0% had used illegal drugs. Moreover, the results of rare-events logistic regression revealed that a measure of delinquent peers was the strongest and most consistent predictor of substance use, while a measure of low self-control was unrelated (or related in a direction opposite to that which was predicted) to the measures of substance use.

The Effect of Attachment and Self-Control on Status Offending among Puerto Rican High School Students

This study tests the cross-cultural applicability of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime and self-control theory by examining self-reported status offenses among a sample of Puerto Rican adolescents. Data come from a 2005 sample of 298 youth ages 14–19, representing both the public and private school systems in Puerto Rico. Using a series of multivariate regressions, three hypotheses were tested. First, low attachment to parents, schools, peers, and church will positively and significantly predict status offenses among both public and private students. Second, low self-control will positively and significantly increase status offenses among each group. Finally, the effects of attachment on offending will be mediated by self-control. Results show support for both social control theory (via institutional attachment) and general theory of crime (via self-control). Both the measures of attachment and self-control contribute to explaining status offenses. Self-control partially mediates the effects of attachment on status offenses.

Relationship between physical and mental health and self-control of elderly people in nursing home

Objective To explore the relationship between self-control ability and physical and mental health of the elderly people in nursing home. Methods 183 elderly people from three nursing homes were investigated using self control measurement method of dual system scale and World Health Survey. The individuals were divided into high control low impulsiveness group(n=51), high control high impulsiveness group(n=36), low control low impulsiveness group(n=27) and low control impulse group(n=69). Results The total score of physical and mental health for elderly people in nursing homes was (1.76±0.46), while the scores of body health, mental health and overall self evaluation were (1.84±0.56), (1.66±0.42) and (2.93±0.72). The scores of physical health and mental health for elderly people in nursing homes of impulse and control system for elderly people in nursing homes were (2.98±0.63) and (3.35±0.59). The scores of physical health(r=0.15), mental health(r=0.29) and overall self evaluation(r=0.31)were positively correlated with impulse system, and negatively correlated with control system (r=-0.26, -0.33, -0.34, P<0.05). The scores of physical health, mental health and overall self evaluation in four groups were significantly different (F=12.39, 33.82, 21.50, P<0.01). Conclusion The physical and mental health of the elderly people in nursing home is correlated with self-control ability. Key words: The elderly in nursing home; Physical and mental health; Self-control

Self-Control, Daily Negative Affect, and Blood Glucose Control in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes.

For adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, maintaining optimal daily blood glucose control is a complex self-regulatory process that likely requires self-control. This study examined whether higher self-control was associated with lower daily negative affect about diabetes and, in turn, better daily blood glucose control, that is, lower mean daily blood glucose (MBG) and smaller standard deviations of daily blood glucose (SDBG), through 2 paths: (1) self-control maintaining lower mean level of negative affect and (2) self-control buffering the association of the number of daily diabetes problems with daily negative affect. Adolescents (M age = 12.87 years) with Type 1 diabetes (n = 180) completed an initial survey containing a self-report measure of self-control. Nightly electronic diaries were completed for 14 days during which adolescents reported daily problems with and negative affect about diabetes and used a study-provided blood glucose meter. Hypotheses were examined through multilevel modeling. Lower mean levels of daily negative affect partially mediated the relation between higher adolescent self-control and lower MBG. Adolescent self-control also buffered the association of the number of daily problems with daily negative affect, and smaller fluctuations in daily negative affect were associated with lower SDBG. Adolescent self-control is associated with daily affect regulatory processes that may influence MBG. However, fluctuations in daily negative affect about diabetes may represent a unique within-subject daily process associated with SDBG. These findings suggest that studies examining daily disease processes and interventions targeting daily affect regulation may be important to improving health in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. (PsycINFO Database Record

Glucose metabolism and self-regulation — Is insulin resistance a valid proxy of self-control?

Glucose metabolism has been suggested as an underlying biological factor of self-control stimulating a range of studies exploring the associations between glucose and self-control. Research on interindividual trait-like differences in glucose metabolism and self-control is sparse, as most previous research has focused on associations between state self-control performance and momentary glucose levels. In two experiments in healthy participants (n=60, mean age 35.2±13.9, 58% women; n=103, mean age 25.8±6.3, 67% women) consisting of a baseline assessment and a laboratory session, we examined whether trait markers of glucose metabolism (fasting glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance) correlated with trait measures of self-control and state self-control performance measured in a self-control dual-task paradigm. We found only small to moderate associations with insulin resistance, indicating that higher trait self-control went together with lower insulin resistance. These associations were limited to self-reported measures only. For the association with objectively assessed self-control performance no consistent pattern was observed. Taken together, the present research does not provide support for a meaningful relationship between self-control and glucose metabolism.

Decomposing Self-Control: Individual Differences in Goal Pursuit Despite Interfering Aversion, Temptation, and Distraction.

Self-control can be defined as the ability to exert control over ones impulses. Currently, most research in the area relies on self-report. Focusing on attentional control processes involved in self-control, we modified a spatial selective attentional cueing task to test three domains of self-control experimentally in one task using aversive, tempting, and neutral picture-distractors. The aims of the study were (1) to investigate individual differences in the susceptibility to aversive, tempting, and neutral distraction within one paradigm and (2) to test the association of these three self-control domains to conventional measures of self-control including self-report. The final sample consisted of 116 participants. The task required participants to identify target letters “E” or “F” presented at a cued target location while the distractors were presented. Behavioral and eyetracking data were obtained during the performance of the task. High task performance was encouraged via monetary incentives. In addition to the attentional self-control task, self-reported self-control was assessed and participants performed a color Stroop task, an unsolvable anagram task and a delay of gratification task using chocolate sweets. We found that aversion, temptation, and neutral distraction were associated with significantly increased error rates, reaction times and gaze pattern deviations. Overall task performance on our task correlated with self-reported self-control ability. Measures of aversion, temptation, and distraction showed moderate split-half reliability, but did not correlate with each other across participants. Additionally, participants who made a self-controlled decision in the delay of gratification task were less distracted by temptations in our task than participants who made an impulsive choice. Our individual differences analyses suggest that (1) the ability to endure aversion, resist temptations and ignore neutral distractions are independent of each other and (2) these three domains are related to other measures of self-control.

On the measurement of low self-control in Add Health and NLSY79

ABSTRACTLimited attention has been devoted to the dimensionality of the low self-control scales commonly constructed in two nationally representative datasets routinely used to test self-control theory (SCT) – Add Health and NLSY79. We assess the measurement properties of the low self-control scales by comparing a series of exploratory and confirmatory models that are appropriate for the categorical nature of the observed items, including unidimensional, correlated factors, second-order factor, and bifactor models. Additionally, based on these results we explore the predictive validity of the respective scales on adolescents’ delinquent behavior. The results indicate that the low self-control scales in these data have acceptable levels of internal consistency but do not represent unidimensional latent factors. Rather, scales are best represented by a second-order factor structure. When measured this way, our Add Health scale is associated with delinquency in a cross-sectional context and our NLSY79 scale predicts delinquency longitudinally. This study reveals that low self-control is best conceptualized as a multidimensional construct within these data. The results of this study provide guidance to researchers measuring low self-control in either dataset (or other data sources) and inform the larger SCT measurement literature.

Religious and Psychological Implications of Positive and Negative Religious Coping in Iran.

This study examined the religious and psychological implications of religious coping in Iran. University students (N=224) responded to the Brief Positive and Negative Religious Coping Scales along with measures of Religious Orientation, Integrative Self-Knowledge, Self-Control, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, Self-Esteem, Guilt, Shame, and Self-Criticism. As in previous research elsewhere, Positive Religious Coping was stronger on average than Negative Religious Coping, and Positive and Negative Religious Coping predicted adjustment and maladjustment, respectively, In addition, this study demonstrated that direct relationships between Positive and Negative Religious Coping appeared to be reliable in Iran; that Positive Religious Copings was broadly compatible with, and Negative Religious Coping was largely irrelevant to, Iranian religious motivations; and that Negative Religious Coping obscured linkages of Positive Religious Coping with religious and psychological adjustment.

Awareness of Low Self-Control: Theory and Evidence

Self-reported survey measures of self-control continue to appeal to practitioners for ease of implementation, necessitating further investigation of how well they predict outcomes. We provide a simple theoretical model and empirical evidence that relates how awareness of self-control and availability of commitment devices affect the way survey responses predict outcomes. This paper focuses on the Ameriks et al. (2007) survey, which utilizes the deviation between self-reported ideal and predicted behavior, namely Expected Deviation (ED), to capture self-control problems. Our model predicts that ED will largely be negatively correlated with outcomes, except in settings where awareness can play a large role (e.g. when self-control is low and commitment devices are available). Previous empirical evidence, derived from highly successful populations, has shown that larger ED is correlated with worse outcomes. We complement this with evidence from the homeless population, showing that ED is positively correlated to amount saved in shelter lockboxes, a commitment savings device. As a whole, it appears that the ED measure correlates with outcomes in a theoretically-consistent manner after accounting for awareness.

Development and Validity Analysis of Korean Focusing Manner Scale-Revised (KFMS-R)

A Research on the Development and Validation of Korean Focusing Manner Scale-Revised (KFMS-R) Version The Korean Focusing Manner Scale (KFMS) has shown to have difficulties when applying to certain segments of the population, especially the elderly and youth groups. To develop the KFMS-R, a survey were undertaken targeting 474 male and female highschool students in the Seoul area, using stress response measures and self-control measures. The KFMS-R is comprised of 5 factors: 1) Aware, 2) reflect, 3) express, 4) accept, 5) keep one's composure. The KFMS-R’s factor composition was checked using correlation analysis between the stress response measures and self-control measures, and showed satisfactory internal trustworthiness. Thus, it is expected that the KFMS-R can be implemented easily and practically for clinical on-site session for youth and elderly groups. In addition, by enabling findings of flows between the sub-factors in implementing Focusing experiential psychological counseling, a more expeditious and effective treatment can be possible. (Korean J Str Res 2016;24:23∼33)

Identifying Latent Classes of Antisocial Behavior Among Youth From Saudi Arabia

Despite the wealth of knowledge on subclass formation for antisocial behavior among youth from the United States and other Western industrialized countries, very little is known about the subclass structure for antisocial behavior among youth growing up in other geographical contexts. Using validated measures of aggression, psychopathy, and low self-control, we employ latent class analysis to identify latent subgroups of antisocial behavior from a sample of 324 Saudi Arabian youth. Three classes of antisocial behavior emerged and significant associations between latent class membership and different forms of delinquency were observed. The findings are the first to show a similar pattern of latent class formation for antisocial behavior and risk for violent and nonviolent delinquency among Saudi Arabian youth compared to U.S. youth.

Testing an Integration of Control Theories: The Role of Bonds and Self-Control in Decision Making

Since the redefinition of self-control (Hirschi, 2004) social bonding measures have been utilized as predictors or indicators of revised or decisional self-control. This approach departs from the prior literature which has hypothesized a selection effect of self-control on social bonds. To reconcile this discrepancy and explain the relationship among two self-control measures (attitudinal and revised self-control), an alternate model is proposed that explains the process of self-control on refrainment from offending at the situation level. Surveys using the vignette method for a hypothetical drunk-driving decision-making task were collected from large samples of young adults and inmates. Path analysis is used to model bonds and self-control as determinates of decisional self-control, thus indirectly influencing self-reported estimates of drunk-driving likelihood. Decisional self-control, attitudinal self-control and social bonds also directly affect intentions to drive drunk. Overall, the proposed model is supported. A strong direct effect of attitudinal self-control on drunk-driving likelihood remains while controlling for decisional self-control. There are relatively smaller indirect effects of social bonds and attitudinal self-control on drunk-driving likelihood, through their effects on decisional self-control. These findings support the need for the conceptual separation of bonds, attitudinal and decisional self-control as well as increased attention to differential effects of self-control.

Rumination and self-control interact to predict bulimic symptomatology in college students

Recent studies suggest that a ruminative response style may contribute to the development and maintenance of Bulimia nervosa. However it is not clear what factors may contribute to the relationship between rumination and BN. One factor may be self-control, as studies suggest that BN symptomatology relates to deficits in self-control. In the present study, we hypothesized that the association between rumination and BN symptomatology would be the strongest among individuals with lower self-control relative to those with higher self-control. Participants were 353 students at a large university. Participants completed measures of self-control, rumination, and eating disorder symptomology as part of an online study. A hierarchical regression supported an interaction between rumination and self-control predicting bulimic symptomatology, controlling for BMI. Individuals with higher levels of rumination presented more bulimic symptoms if they also had lower levels of self-control, supporting our hypothesis. Based on these findings, assessing rumination in conjunction with self-control among individuals who present with eating concerns may help to direct treatment. Additionally, clinical interventions increasing self-control may also alleviate some BN symptoms in ruminators.

Results of Pharmacotherapy of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Assessment Using Neuropsychological Methods

Study aim. To investigate the dynamics of measures of behavior, attention, and memory during treatment with Noofen (250-mg capsules) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Materials and methods. A total of 50 patients taking part in an open study were divided into two groups of 25 patients: patients of group 1 received Noofen while patients of group 2 (controls) received only low doses of multivitamins. Treatment lasted one month. Noofen was given at doses of 15–20 mg/kg (500–750 mg) per day using 250-mg capsules, as two or three doses. Results and conclusions. Neuropsychological test results at the end of one month of treatment demonstrated improvements in cognitive functions, including measures of self-control, sustained, focused, and distributed attention, and auditory verbal memory. It is suggested that the initial positive changes may provide a base for attaining more significant clinical outcomes with longer-lasting treatment.

Self-Control Assessments and Implications for Predicting Adolescent Offending.

Although low self-control is consistently related to adolescent offending, it is unknown whether self-report measures or laboratory behavior tasks yield better predictive utility, or if a combination yields incremental predictive power. This is particularly important because developmental theory indicates that self-control is related to adolescent offending and, consequently, risk assessments rely on self-control measures. The present study (a) examines relationships between self-reported self-control on the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory with Go/No-Go response inhibition, and (b) compares the predictive utility of both assessment strategies for short- and long-term adolescent reoffending. It uses longitudinal data from the Crossroads Study of male, first-time adolescent offenders ages 13-17 (N = 930; 46 % Hispanic/Latino, 37 % Black/African-American, 15 % non-Hispanic White, 2 % other race). The results of the study indicate that the measures are largely unrelated, and that the self-report measure is a better indicator of both short- and long-term reoffending. The laboratory task measure does not add value to what is already predicted by the self-report measure. Implications for assessing self-control during adolescence and consequences of assessment strategy are discussed.

Using self-reported and objective measures of self-control to predict exercise and academic behaviors among first-year university students.

Thirty students (mean age = 18 ± 0.5 years) completed self-report (Self-Control Scale) and objective (isometric handgrip squeeze performance) measures of self-control, provided their exercise and academic (study/schoolwork) plans for the next month, and then logged these behaviors over the subsequent 4-week period. Trait self-control predicted exercise and academic behavior. Handgrip squeeze performance predicted academic behavior and adherence to academic plans. Further, regression analysis revealed that trait self-control and handgrip performance explained significant variance in academic behavior. These findings provide a new understanding of how different self-control measures can be used to predict first-year students' participation in, and adherence to, exercise and academic behaviors concurrently.