The impact of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder traits on relations between self-control and mental-health outcomes

Some have hypothesized that, instead of a simple linear relationship, self-control follows an “inverted-U” association with psychological outcomes in which both extreme lows and extreme highs are linked with negative outcomes. Yet, strong and consistent evidence for this relationship has not been produced. We posited that self-control may only become harmful when accompanied by additional over-controlled traits such as those characteristic of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), including rigidity, perseveration, and perfectionism. Results from a secondary analysis of two cross-sectional studies (N1 = 86, N2 = 92) indicated no direct association between self-control and mental-health outcomes, and, further, no moderating effect of OCPD traits on this association (adjusted ps > .144). The relationship between self-control and mental-health may be more complex than our proposed model. More research is needed to determine the specific contexts within which self-control may become maladaptive.