On the superiority of self-regulation over self-control in psychotherapy and psychosomatic rehabilitation

Background: Self-control is a widely used concept in behavior therapy. The efficacy of self-control techniques has been well-proven. In research on volition, self-control as the self-disciplining volitional style is contrasted to self-regulation as the self-integrating volitional style. In this study, differences between these volitional styles are examined in regard to emotion perception, habitual affect, psychological and physical complaints (comorbidity) and therapy outcome. Patients and Methods: 1,018 patients were tested for volitional style, depression, global symptom pressure and physical complaints prior to an inpatient treatment and rehabilitation program. 242 out of these patients were also tested for emotion perception and habitual affect. Symptom variables were remeasured after treatment. All patients were categorized into one of four subgroups of volitional style: self-regulating, self-controlling, state oriented, action oriented. The 'volitional style' was used as factor in a 1-way ANOVA, followed by comparisons among means of the self-regulating and the self-controlling patients. Results: Self-regulating patients have significantly less difficulties to identify their emotions. They reveal more positive and less negative emotions and are less depressive and symptom burdened. They also yield a significantly better therapy outcome regarding depression, fatigue and physical complaints. No differences between self-regulation and self-control can be found regarding externally oriented thinking and physical complaints at baseline. Conclusions: The results show very clearly the negative consequences of constant self-control and the superiority of self-regulation. Self-control is only adaptive as long as it is flexibly employed as behavior option for limited periods of time. In the long run, self-regulation is healthier and should be preferred to self-control, in principle.