Self-Control as a Personal Resource: Determining Its Relationships to Success, Perseverance, and Well-Being

Abstract

Self-control is understood as the ability of the individual to manage his behavior and emotions, thoughtfully react to events that happen around him, and to prevent himself from acting out of undesirable impulses and emotions. This article presents two studies that sought to validate a Russian-language version of the Brief Self-Control Scale that was developed by June P. Tangney, Roy F. Baumeister, and Angie Luzio Boone. The studies tested samples of employees (n = 591) and students (n = 328), respectively, using the scale consisting of 13 items. We demonstrate the one-dimensional structure of the scale using confirmatory factor analysis. The scale has high reliability (Cronbach alpha of 0.84 and 0.79), and it demonstrates predictable current and potential future relationships with self-reported and objective indicators of academic and professional success. Self-control is associated with indicators of successful functioning and well-being. The obtained connections retain statistical reliability when controlling for social desirability. The results show that self-control is an important personal-motivational resource that contributes to success in life and improving psychological well-being.