Self‐regulatory control processes in youths: A temporal network analysis approach

Objective This study aimed to better understand the temporal interrelationships among self‐control, response inhibition, and anger (i.e., momentary state and rumination) on both the within‐ and between‐person levels in male adolescents. Method We applied temporal network analyses among 62 male adolescents with a wide range of behavioral difficulties. Self‐control, momentary anger, and anger rumination were mapped by self‐report measures, whereas we measured response inhibition through an ambulatory Go/No‐go task (two measures a day—morning and afternoon—over a 9‐day period). Results Temporal network analysis, at the within‐person level, revealed that morning measures of response inhibition, anger rumination, and self‐control were related to the corresponding measure in the afternoon. More efficient response inhibition in the morning was associated with higher self‐control in the afternoon. Higher anger rumination in the morning led to higher momentary anger in the afternoon. In a concurrent within‐person network, higher momentary anger was reciprocally associated with lower self‐control. At the between‐person level, higher momentary anger was correlated to higher anger rumination, lower response inhibition, and lower self‐control. Discussion This study provides insight into the dynamic interactions among self‐control, response inhibition, and anger (momentary state and rumination) in male adolescents, advancing the understanding of self‐regulatory control functioning. Temporal within‐person network examining the effect of the measure of the morning on those in the afternoon (lagged model; arrows representing the direction of the link, from morning to afternoon assessment). The concurrent (cross‐sectional) within‐person network modeled the link between the measures at a time‐point at the within‐person level. The between‐person network model refers to the interrelationships of the variable according the between‐person variability. Plain arrows/lines refer to positive association whereas dashed lines refer to negative associations. The width of the lines or arrows represents the strength of the association.