Self-control during childhood and mental health at age 15–16: a longitudinal population-based study

Low self-control in adults is associated with a broad range of negative outcomes. However, studies on the long-term impact of low self-control on mental health outcomes in youth are limited. We examined associations between low self-control during childhood (age 5-12) and mental health in adolescence (age 15-16), with specific interest for gender differences and whether conduct problems acts as a mediator. Data from a longitudinal birth cohort (Amsterdam Born Children and their Development) study was used (n = 1775). We scored self-control using items from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function and Substance Use Risk Profile Scale collected at ages 5-6 and 11-12 years by multiple raters. Self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale), subjective well-being (Cantril-ladder), depression/anxiety symptoms (Youth Self Report) and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) were mental health outcomes at age 15-16. We stratified by gender and tested mediation by conduct problem, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Higher self-control was associated with higher self-esteem, higher subjective well-being, fewer depression/anxiety symptoms and less perceived stress in boys and girls (p < 0.01). Overall, boys had lower self-control during childhood. Associations between self-control and mental health outcomes were stronger in girls than in boys. Conduct problems functioned as a (partial) mediator, but only in girls. Children with higher self-control had better mental health during adolescence, especially girls. In girls, conduct problems (partially) explained this association. Research is needed to find out if interventions, directed at enhancing self-control in childhood, are beneficial for later mental health.