Genetic and Environmental Influences on Self-Control: Assessing Self-Control with the ASEBA Self-Control Scale

Willems, Yayouk E.; Dolan, Conor V.; Beijsterveldt, Catharina E. M. van; Zeeuw, Eveline L. de; Boomsma, Dorret I.; Bartels, Meike; Finkenauer, Catrin

doi:10.1007/s10519-018-9887-1

Cited by 44 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…For self-control, results are mixed. For example, some studies state that differences in self-control are not or weakly explained by genetic factors (e.g., Friedman et al, 2011), while others state that almost all variation in self-control is explained by genetic factors (e.g., Beaver et al, 2009;Wright et al, 2008), and again others state that about half of the variance in self-control is explained by genetic factors (e.g., Boisvert et al, 2013c;Willems et al, 2018a;Yamagata et al, 2005). To obtain a clearer picture from previously researched data of the genetic influence on self-control, we performed a meta-analysis including twin studies that address the heritability of selfcontrol.…”

Section: Self-control Twin Heritability Meta-analysis Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Heritability of Self-Control: a Meta-Analysis

Willems¹,

Boesen²,

Li³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Self-control is the ability to control one’s impulses when faced with challenges or temptations, and is robustly associated with physiological and psychological well-being. Twin studies show that self-control is heritable, but estimates range between 0% and 90%, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to provide a quantitative overview of the heritability of self-control. A systematic search resulted in 31 included studies, based on a sample size of >100.000 individuals, published between 1996 and 2018. Our results revealed an overall monozygotic twin correlation of .58, and an overall dizygotic twin correlation of .28, resulting in a heritability estimate of 60%. The heritability of self-control did not vary across gender or age. The heritability did differ across informants, with stronger heritability estimates based on parent report versus self-report or observations. This finding provides evidence that when aiming to understand individual differences in self-control, one should take genetic factors into account. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

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Section: Self-control Twin Heritability Meta-analysis Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Heritability of Self-Control: a Meta-Analysis

Willems¹,

Boesen²,

Li³

et al. 2018

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…On the one hand low self-control may function as a possible mechanism because it is affected by family violence and contributes to maintaining violence [8], [9]. On the other hand, low self-control is reliably related to poorer physical, mental, and social health and wellbeing [30], [80]. Supporting these theoretical suggestions, we found a significant association between family violence and self-control across adolescence, suggesting that self-control may play an important role in the link between family violence and adverse outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…is also likely to vary depending on methodological specifications, such as the way violence and self-control are assessed (e.g., parent report or adolescent self-report), and whether they are assessed by the same informant (e.g., both self-report or both parent report, [19]). Correlations between self-reports are on average stronger than correlations between self-reports and other reports [61]. As such, we explore whether the association between family violence and selfcontrol is stronger when both are assessed by the same person.…”

Section: Informants the Magnitude Of The Association Between Family mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Second, it is important to acknowledge that, when investigating interactions within families, not only environmental but also genetic factors play a role [44]. This is evidenced by studies reporting on the intergenerational transmission and the heritability of family violence [78], [79] , and the intergenerational transmission and the heritability of self-control [33], [80].…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Relationship between Family Violence and Self-Control in Adolescence: A Multi-Level Meta-Analysis

Willems

Hendriks

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Theoretical studies propose an association between family violence and low self-control in adolescence, yet empirical findings of this association are inconclusive. The aim of the present research was to systematically summarize available findings on the relation between family violence and self-control across adolescence. We included 27 studies with 143 effect sizes, representing more than 25,000 participants of eight countries from early to late adolescence. Applying a multi-level meta-analyses, taking dependency between effect sizes into account while retaining statistical power, we examined the magnitude and direction of the overall effect size. Additionally, we investigated whether theoretical moderators (e.g., age, gender, country), and methodological moderators (cross-sectional/longitudinal, informant) influenced the magnitude of the association between family violence and self-control. Our results revealed that family violence and self-control have a small to moderate significant negative association (r = -.191). This association did not vary across gender, country, and informants. The strength of the association, however, decreased with age and in longitudinal studies. This finding provides evidence that researchers and clinicians may expect low self-control in the wake of family violence, especially in early adolescence. Recommendations for future research in the area are discussed.

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“…Furthermore, there is genetic evidence that personality types are stable over time (22), providing support that personality measures successfully pick up genuine signal of an underlying trait. Heritability estimates for other non-cognitive skills have varied widely from 0.44 to 0.79 for self-control (23,24); 0.36 for alienation (7); 0.83 for academic effort (7); 0.31 to 0.56 for aspects of openness (25); 0.18 to 0.49 for aspects of conscientiousness (26); and 0.40 for enjoyment and self-perceived ability (27). Sibling correlations for non-cognitive skills are lower than for cognitive skills (28), consistent with a smaller genetic component.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consistency of non-cognitive skills and their relation to educational outcomes in a UK cohort

Morris

Smith

Berg

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Non-cognitive skills predict a range of socioeconomic outcomes including educational attainment and employment. Many studies have used cross sectional data and therefore the longitudinal consistency of non-cognitive skills are poorly understood. Using data from a UK cohort, we assess (1) the consistency of non-cognitive skills over a 17-year period throughout childhood, (2) their associations with educational outcomes, and (3) their genomic architecture. Consistency over time is high for behavioural and communication skills but low for others, implicating a high noise to signal ratio for many non-cognitive skills. Associations between non-cognitive skills and educational outcomes are observed for skills measured in mid to late childhood and are at most a third of the size of IQ-education associations. Consistent non-zero heritability estimates and genetic correlations with education are observed only for behavioural difficulties. Our results suggest caution in the use of non-cognitive measures as consistent indicators of underlying skills during early childhood.

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Genetic and Environmental Influences on Self-Control: Assessing Self-Control with the ASEBA Self-Control Scale

Cited by 44 publications

References 55 publications

The Heritability of Self-Control: a Meta-Analysis

The Heritability of Self-Control: a Meta-Analysis

The Relationship between Family Violence and Self-Control in Adolescence: A Multi-Level Meta-Analysis

Consistency of non-cognitive skills and their relation to educational outcomes in a UK cohort

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