Yes, But Are They Happy? Effects of Trait Self‐Control on Affective Well‐Being and Life Satisfaction
2013/06/11 by Wilhelm Hofmann, Maike Luhmann, Rachel R Fisher +3 · 580 citations
Psychology · #Affect (linguistics) #Behavioral Health and Interventions #Clinical psychology #Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion #Developmental psychology #Distress #Experience sampling method #Happiness #Life satisfaction #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction #Psychology #Psychotherapist #Social psychology #Subjective well-being #Trait #Well-being
paper · doi:10.1111/jopy.12050
published in Journal of Personality 82(4), 265-277 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2013/06/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Abstract
Does trait self-control (TSC) predict affective well-being and life satisfaction--positively, negatively, or not? We conducted three studies (Study 1: N = 414, 64% female, Mage = 35.0 years; Study 2: N = 208, 66% female, Mage = 25.24 years; Study 3: N = 234, 61% female, Mage = 34.53 years). The key predictor was TSC, with affective well-being and life satisfaction ratings as key outcomes. Potential explanatory constructs including goal conflict, goal balancing, and emotional distress also were investigated. TSC is positively related to affective well-being and life satisfaction, and managing goal conflict is a key as to why. All studies, moreover, showed that the effect of TSC on life satisfaction is at least partially mediated by affect. Study 1's correlational study established the effect. Study 2's experience sampling approach demonstrated that compared to those low in TSC, those high in TSC experience higher levels of momentary affect even as they experience desire, an effect partially mediated through experiencing lower conflict and emotional distress. Study 3 found evidence for the proposed mechanism--that TSC may boost well-being by helping people avoid frequent conflict and balance vice-virtue conflicts by favoring virtues. Self-control positively contributes to happiness through avoiding and dealing with motivational conflict.
Citations
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