Subject-Based Discussion by Asuman Büyükcan Tetik

The Role of Self-Control in Close Relationships

Asuman Büyükcan Tetik

Self-control is defined as the ability to regulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors based on some internal and external standards, and it has been shown to be influential on many domains in life such as academic success and health. In this talk, I will present a series of studies which show that having high levels of self-control is also beneficial for close relationships. Specifically, I will focus on the effects of self-control on intrusive behaviors toward the partner, trust in families, forgiveness in marriages, and intimate partner violence. Reflecting the bidirectional link between self-control and close relationships, I will also present the findings on how self-control changes after people get married. I will conclude with a brief discussion on my ongoing studies, limitations, and future plans.