Self-controlled children become healthier adults

Childhood sexual abuse has a negative impact on the ability of children and adults ability to self-regulate their emotional state and behavior. There are common psychiatric symptoms experienced by victims of childhood sexual abuse that impact on their ability to live stable lives. Peer support can help.

… self-control as children aging more slowly at age 45…

Self-control of one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors is one of the personality traits that makes a child ready for school. And, it turns out, ready for life as well. A large study tracking 1,000 people from birth through age 45 has determined that people who had higher levels of self-control as children were aging more slowly than their peers at age 45. Their bodies and brains were healthier and biologically younger.

Self-controlled children tend to be healthier middle-aged adults: Benefits include younger brains and bodies, better outlook on the years ahead — ScienceDaily

Benefits include younger brains and bodies, better outlook on the years ahead

The underlying mechanisms behind self-control’s effects aren’t crystal clear yet, but the team hypothesizes it comes down to emotional regulation throughout life. Those who exercise self-control may plan better for the future and in turn, experience fewer crises and challenges. When these difficulties do arise, their response is more measured and thoughtful.

Longevity hack: 1 emotional ability can slow brain aging over a lifetime (inverse.com)

Adolescence is a critical period for the development of self-regulation, and peer interactions are thought to strongly influence regulation ability. Simple exposure to peers has been found to alter decisions about risky behaviors and increase sensitivity to rewards. The link between peer exposure and self-regulation is likely to vary as a function of the type and quality of peer interaction (e.g., rejection or acceptance). 

Peer effects on self-regulation in adolescence depend on the nature and quality of the peer interaction – PubMed (nih.gov)