%0 Report
        %A Cobb-Clark, Deborah A.
%A Dahmann, Sarah C.
%A Kamhöfer, Daniel A.
%A Schildberg-Hörisch, Hannah
        %T The Predictive Power of Self-Control for Life Outcomes
        %D 2021
        %8 2021 Dec
        %I Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        %C Bonn
        %7 IZA Discussion Paper
        %N 14920
        %U https://www.iza.org/publications/dp14920
        %X 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.
        %K intergenerational transmission
%K personality traits
%K Brief Self-Control Scale