Poor self-control at age of three ominous

Children's behaviour at ages as young as three can show if they are likely to grow into adults beset by problems such as ill-health, debt, drug addiction and criminality, say researchers.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th Jan 2011, 20:04 BST

Updated 24th Jan 2011, 20:04 BST

A long-term study of more than 1,000 children in New Zealand found those displaying early signs of impulsiveness and low self-control were most at risk of running into trouble decades later.

The children were psychologically assessed between the ages of three and five and given ratings for self-control, with researchers assessing frustration tolerance, restlessness, impulsivity, impatience and the ability to stick with tasks.

Children who scored poorly appeared to be marked out for a difficult life, more likely to take up smoking as a teenager, have unplanned pregnancies and drop out of school.

At the age of 32, they had an increased chance of suffering from a range of health problems, including being overweight and having high cholesterol or blood pressure. They were also more likely to get into financial difficulties, become dependent on alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs, to be single parents, or to have a criminal record.

New Zealand