Self-control and health outcomes in a nationally representative sample.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the link between low self-control during adolescence and health problems in early adulthood.


METHODS
Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we examined the relationship between varying levels of self-control and the likelihood of being diagnosed with a variety of physical and brain-based health conditions.


RESULTS
Results from logistic regression analyses indicated that subjects with lower levels of self-control had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with 9 of the 10 health outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Targeting the development of self-control in childhood and adolescence may be valuable in preventing future health problems.
Department of Criminal Justice, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78207, USA. Holly.Miller@utsa.edu
Holly Ventura
HV
Miller
J C
JC
Barnes
Kevin M
KM
Beaver
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs