Troublesome children who have short tempers and regular tantrums are likely to run into trouble when they become middle-aged adults, a new study has found.
More than 1,000 people from New Zealand born in 1972 and 1973 were tracked throughout their life until the age of 45.
Analysis of the data revealed individuals with greater self-control as children were more able to adequately manage their finances.
Troublesome children who have short tempers and regular tantrums are likely to run into trouble when they become middle-aged adults, a new study has found (stock image)
Individuals who exhibited high self-control in childhood also physically age slower, the study found.
Those with greater self control also had fewer signs of brain aging and were better at managing their health, finances and social lives.
The study also found adults who were impulsive children that later improved their self-control are healthier than people who never manage to master their short fuse.
Dr Leah Richmond-Rakerd from the University of Michigan led the study published today in PNAS.
Individuals who exhibited high self-control in childhood also physically age slower, the study found. Those with greater self control also had fewer signs of brain aging and were better at managing their health, finances and social lives (stock image)
‘We measured [participants’] pace of aging and aging preparedness in midlife using measures derived from biological and physiological assessments, structural brain-imaging scans, observer ratings, self-reports, informant reports, and administrative records,’ the team writes.
‘As adults, children with better self-control aged more slowly in their bodies and showed fewer signs of aging in their brains.
‘By midlife, these children were also better equipped to manage a range of later-life health, financial, and social demands.’
When children with better self-control became middle-aged they had more practical financial knowledge; were more financially planful; and had better credit ratings than tantrum-prone toddlers, they add.
The researchers believe that deliberately striving to increase self-control in youngsters might extend both the length and quality of their life.
