Failed Control of Health Behavior

Self-control failure is a potent predictor of unhealthful behaviors such as alcohol use, overeating, and cigarette smoking, which can evolve into addictions if they persist over time. Self-control failure has previously been theorized as a dual-process phenomenon in which cognitive and emotional processes are separate. However, building upon evidence that these processes act together to influence behavior, we offer a model of self-control failure over health behavior that integrates cognitive, emotional, and social predictors. In addition, we discuss a variety of relevant psychological factors, including momentary cravings, mental fatigue, and stress that also contribute to self-control failure. This model helps to explain why nonaddicted people compromise healthy long-term goals for less valued, health-impairing behaviors.