Study: Level of self-control in children may reveal future behavior problems

By Staff Writer

A new study reveals that children who have limited self-control are more likely to have health problems, substance dependence and financial troubles in adulthood.

Researchers from Duke University examined the results of a long-term study, which measured the conduct of individuals from age 3 to 32. The findings, which appear in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveal that children who exhibited low frustration tolerance, difficulty sticking to a task and impulsive behavior were more likely than kids who showed good self-control to have breathing problems, gum disease and weight issues later in life.

Furthermore, the team found that kids with less control were also at a higher risk to have financial difficulties, such as credit card debt. They also were more likely to be single parents, have a criminal conviction record and be dependent on alcohol, tobacco and other recreational drugs.

However, the authors noted that some of the study's participants were able to overcome their self-control problems and fared better than their childhood screening would have predicted. Researchers said that treatment that can help limit impulsive behavior can save millions of dollars in healthcare and criminal justice costs.

Problem teens who have self-control problems may benefit from boarding schools, which are designed to help adolescents adopt healthy behavior patterns.