Trait self-control is associated with lower positive affective instability: Findings from an experience sampling survey

Abstract

Several studies have shown that trait self-control predicts affective instability: higher self-control is related to lower affective instability (or higher stability). However, these studies have not discriminated between positive and negative affective instability. In this study, we investigated whether self-control is related to positive and/or negative affective instability. We conducted an experience sampling survey with 79 participants (20 males and 59 females; M_age = 19.16 years, SD_age = 1.11) to measure affective instability and a post-survey session to measure trait self-control. In the experience sampling survey period, the participants received six emails a day over 7 days (i.e., 42 signals in total) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at intervals of more than 1 hr and indicated how intensely they experienced positive and negative affect at that time. The results revealed that trait self-control was related to positive, but not negative, affective instability. We discuss the results and offer some possible explanations for previous findings about the relationship between trait self-control and affective instability.