More than resisting temptation: Beneficial habits mediate the relationship between self-control and positive life outcomes

Abstract

Why does self-control predict such a wide array of positive life outcomes? Conventional wisdom holds that self-control is used to effortfully inhibit maladaptive impulses, yet this view conflicts with emerging evidence that self-control is associated with less inhibition in daily life. We propose that one of the reasons individuals with better self-control use less effortful inhibition, yet make better progress on their goals is that they rely on beneficial habits. Across 6 studies (total N = 2,274), we found support for this hypothesis. In Study 1, habits for eating healthy snacks, exercising, and getting consistent sleep mediated the effect of self-control on both increased automaticity and lower reported effortful inhibition in enacting those behaviors. In Studies 2 and 3, study habits mediated the effect of self-control on reduced motivational interference during a work-leisure conflict and on greater ability to study even under difficult circumstances. In Study 4, homework habits mediated the effect of self-control on classroom engagement and homework completion. Study 5 was a prospective longitudinal study of teenage youth who participated in a 5-day meditation retreat. Better self-control before the retreat predicted stronger meditation habits 3 months after the retreat, and habits mediated the effect of self-control on successfully accomplishing meditation practice goals. Finally, in Study 6, study habits mediated the effect of self-control on homework completion and 2 objectively measured long-term academic outcomes: grade point average and first-year college persistence. Collectively, these results suggest that beneficial habits-perhaps more so than effortful inhibition-are an important factor linking self-control with positive life outcomes.

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Figures

Figure 1

Mediation analysis of the effect of self-control on effortful inhibition through exercise habits and exercise automaticity (Study 1). The first coefficient on the path from self-control to effortful inhibition represents the total effect without mediators in the model; the second coefficient on this path (in parentheses) represents the direct effect when mediators are included in the model. Path loadings represent standardized regression coefficients. ** p < .01, *** p < .001.

Figure 2

Mediation analysis of the prospective effect of self-control on senior year GPA through homework habits and homework completion (Study 6). The first coefficient on the path from self-control to GPA represents the total effect without mediators in the model; the second coefficient on this path (in parentheses) represents the direct effect when mediators are included in the model. All paths controlled for the effect of school, gender, free and reduced price lunch status, race/ethnicity, and intelligence. Path loadings represent standardized regression coefficients. *** p < .001.

Figure 3

Logistic mediation analysis of the prospective effect of self-control on college persistence through homework habits and homework completion (Study 6). The first coefficient on the path from self-control to college persistence represents the total effect without mediators in the model; the second coefficient on this path (in parentheses) represents the direct effect when mediators are included in the model. All paths controlled for the effect of school, gender, free and reduced price lunch status, race/ethnicity, and intelligence. Path loadings to college persistence are odds ratios (italicized); all other loadings represent standardized regression coefficients. ***p <.001.