Research on Self-Control
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Research on Self-Control
Research on Childhood Self-Control
- The marshmallow test, first conducted in the 1960s, is a classic demonstration of childhood self-control or not. See the video here.
- Research using New Zealand’s largest longitudinal study of child development has identified key behaviors to support pre-school children to develop self-control, a key indicator of adult wellbeing. They include:
- Reading books and telling stories to children
- Implementing rules around screen time
- Supportive parent-child interactions
- Children whose fathers make time to physically play with them from a very young age find it easier to control their behavior and emotions as they grow up, according to research.
- Among low-socioeconomic status youth, self-control forecasted better psychosocial outcomes, including less depression, substance use, and aggression, according to research.
- Positive behavioral ratings at 5 and 6 years of age were associated with positive employments ratings 3 decades later, according to research.
- Adverse childhood experiences are associated with lower self-control in teenagers, especially when those experiences are related to maltreatment, according to research.