It’s the thought that counts: Trait self-control is positively associated with well-being and coping via thought control ability

Abstract

In the present study, we reason that the ability to keep unwanted thoughts and intrusions at bay – thought control ability – might explain part of the relationship between trait self-control and positive psychological outcomes. We predict that the ability to keep unwanted thoughts at bay causes people high in trait self-control to report higher subjective well-being (Study 1), and makes them to be more likely to cope with stressful life events in an adaptive rather than maladaptive manner (Study 2). Two cross-sectional studies among healthy individuals were conducted (Study 1 n = 284; 70% female; Mage = 22.15 years; Study 2 n = 210, 65.7% female, Mage = 28.07) in which trait self-control, thought control ability, subjective well-being (study 1), and coping styles (study 2) were measured. Additionally, we investigated the mediating role of thought control ability and the conditional effect of gender on this mediation. The results of Study 1 indicate that trait self-control is positively related to subjective well-being. Moreover, thought control ability fully mediated the relationship between trait self-control and subjective well-being, and this effect was particularly strong for women. In Study 2, trait self-control was positively associated with adaptive forms of coping, but negatively with maladaptive coping. Moreover, thought control ability partially mediated the relationship between trait self-control and both types of coping, with stronger results for women than for men. These results suggest that trait self-control affects positive life outcomes in part through an ability to keep unwanted thoughts at bay, thereby facilitating a focus on goal pursuit.

Emotion Regulation Skills and Self-Control as Predictors of Resilience in Teachers Candidates

“…Similarly, in these studies, it was determined that there is a positive and significant relationship between resilience and self-control (Vötter, 2009;Seok et al, 2012;Artuch-Garde et al, 2017;Yang, Zhou, Cao, Xia, & An, 2019). In addition to the studies that directly support the result of this study, there are also research results showing that high self-control levels of individuals have a positive effect on their lives (Duckworth & Seligman, 2005;Ramezani, & Gholtash, 2015;de la Fuente et al, 2020;Massar, Bělostíková, & Sui, 2020). Based on the results of this research, it can be said that increasing the level of self-control of prospective teachers has an important function in increasing their resilience.…”

Effects of Self-Control on Subjective Well-Being: Examining the Moderating Role of Trait and State Motivation

“…The present research verified the moderating role of motivation in the relationship between self-control and subjective well-being, especially among participants with a prevention-motivation orientation. According to the literature, there is a positive association between self-control and subjective well-being; that is, subjective well-being tends to increase with a higher level of self-control ( Cheung et al, 2014 ; Grund et al, 2015 ; Wiese et al, 2018 ; Nielsen et al, 2019 ; Massar et al, 2020 ). This can be explained by the nature of self-control, which involves the overriding or inhibiting of automatic, habitual, or innate behaviors, urges, emotions, or desires that would otherwise interfere with a person’s goal-directed behaviors ( Baumeister et al, 1994 ; Barkley, 1997 ).…”

“…Although the association between trait self-control and subjective well-being has been controversial, most researchers have argued that there is a positive link between the two ( Cheung et al, 2014 ; Grund et al, 2015 ; Wiese et al, 2018 ; Nielsen et al, 2019 ; Massar et al, 2020 ). Study 1 supports this view and further finds that the association is moderated by the trait prevention-motivation orientation.…”

“…With the emergence of positive psychology, subjective well-being has become a representative indicator of an individual’s adaptation to their life. Recently, the association between self-control and subjective well-being has attracted increased attention from researchers ( De Ridder et al, 2012 ; Cheung et al, 2014 ; Hofmann et al, 2014 ; Layton and Muraven, 2014 ; Carter et al, 2015 ; Grund et al, 2015 ; Ouyang et al, 2015 ; Wiese et al, 2018 ; Fritz and Gallagher, 2019 ; Nielsen et al, 2019 ; Joshanloo et al, 2020 ; Massar et al, 2020 ; Zeng and Chen, 2020 ). Self-control is the overriding or inhibiting of automatic, habitual, or innate behaviors, urges, emotions, or desires that would otherwise interfere with one’s goal-directed behaviors ( Baumeister et al, 1994 ; Barkley, 1997 ).…”

“…It is regarded as a key variable affecting individuals’ subjective well-being ( Hofmann et al, 2014 ) because it is beneficial in helping people to overcome any experienced interferences, to adhere to their goals, and in motivating themselves to better adapt to life ( De Ridder et al, 2012 ); that is, it helps people to acquire more opportunities to experience happiness. Studies have found that self-control was positively associated with life satisfaction and positive affect, with it being negatively associated with negative affect ( Cheung et al, 2014 ; Grund et al, 2015 ; Wiese et al, 2018 ; Nielsen et al, 2019 ; Massar et al, 2020 ). However, some researchers have questioned this relationship, arguing that excessive self-control limits an individual’s ability to experience happiness ( Zabelina et al, 2007 ; Layton and Muraven, 2014 ).…”