Olivia Atherton (UC-Davis)

Abstract: A large amount of previous research has demonstrated the detrimental effects of having lower self-control for outcomes related to health, relationships, crime, and achievement. Further, much time and effort has been dedicated toward implementing interventions to increase self-control in children and adults. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms andconditions under which self-control exerts its influence on life outcomes. We use data from the California Families Project to demonstrate how self-control may affect outcomes, such as drug use initiation and the development of antisocial behavior, in adolescence. Implications and future directions for research and prevention/intervention will be discussed.