The Predictive Power of Self-Control for Life Outcomes

Deborah Cobb-Clark, Sarah C. Dahmann, Daniel Kamhofer and Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch ()
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Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch: Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Hannah Schildberg-Hoerisch ()

No 14920, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This study investigates the predictive power of self-control for individuals and their children using population representative data. We use the well-established Brief Self-Control Scale to demonstrate that people's trait self-control is highly predictive of their life outcomes. Higher self-control is associated with better health, education, and employment outcomes as well as greater financial and overall well-being. Importantly, self-control often adds explanatory power beyond more frequently studied personality traits and economic preferences. The self-control of children is correlated with that of their parents, while higher parental self-control is also linked to fewer behavioral problems among children. Our results suggest that social interventions targeting self-control may be beneficial.

Keywords: intergenerational transmission; personality traits; Brief Self-Control Scale (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D01 D91 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 57 pages
Date: 2021-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo, nep-hea, nep-lma and nep-neu
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Forthcoming - published in: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 2022, 197, 725-744

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Journal Article: The Predictive Power of Self-Control for Life Outcomes (2022)
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