Cascading Effects of Childhood Self-Control on Adjustment in Adolescence and Adulthood

• In Event: Measurement and consequences of childhood self regulation and self control

Abstract

Childhood self-control is linked to better health, wealth, and well-being and less stress, conflict, and reduced criminality in adulthood (Algan et al., 2022; Moffitt et al., 2011). Though childhood self-control has both promotive and protective effects later in life, there are only a few studies examined the cascading effects of childhood self-control. According to self-control theory (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990), low self-control plays important role in problem behaviors. Additionally, the developmental cascade model suggests that adaptive functioning in a domain during one developmental period is related to individuals’ functioning in other domains later in life (Masten & Cicchetti, 2010). Guided by these theories and using longitudinal data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD), we examined whether children’s initial levels and growth in self-control during middle childhood as reported by teachers predict adolescents’ impulse control at age 15 that then predicts less engagement in risky behaviors in adulthood at age 26 controlling for previous levels of impulsivity and externalizing problems at 3rd grade. To check the robustness of our findings, we retested our hypothesized model without controlling for previous levels of impulsivity and externalizing problems.

The sample was 1,042 children (48% girls; 76% White, 13% Black, 6% Hispanic, and 5% other). Teachers reported children’s self-control in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades using the Social Skills Rating System (Gresham & Elliott, 1990). Adolescents self-reported their impulse control at age 15 using the Weinberger Adjustment Scale (Weinberger & Schwartz, 1990), and adults self-reported their risky behaviors at age 26 using the Risky Behavior Questionnaire which was designed for the NICHD SECCYD. All reliability coefficients were in acceptable range (.82 to .92).

Using structural equation modeling in Mplus 8.3, latent growth curve models fit the data well (see Figures 1 and 2). Children’s self-control at 3rd grade (β = .15, SE= .08, p = .043) and growth in self-control from 3rd to 6th grade (β = .29, SE = .10, p = .004) positively predicted impulse control at age 15. Impulse control then negatively predicted risky behaviors at age 26 (β = -.20, SE = .04, p < .001). The indirect effect from growth in self-control from 3rd to 6th grade to risky behaviors at age 26 through impulse control at age 15 was significant (β = -.06, SE = .07, 95% CI [-.19, -.01]). In the robustness check, we found similar findings as those in the main analysis except for one path: the indirect effect from self-control at 3rd grade to risky behaviors through impulse control was also significant (β = -.06, SE = .02, 95% CI [-.10, -.02]).

Consistent with the self-control theory (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990) and developmental cascade model (Masten & Cicchetti, 2010), these results provide evidence of long-term relations between the development of self-control during middle childhood, impulse control in middle adolescence and less engagement in risky behaviors in adulthood. Discussion will emphasize the implications of the findings for prevention and intervention programs.

Authors

• Zehra Gulseven, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  Presenting Author

• Nestor Tulagan, University of California - Irvine

• Sandra Simpkins, University of California - Irvine

• Deborah Lowe Vandell, University of California - Irvine