Is there any Operational Difference between Trait Self-Control and Domain-Specific Self-Control? Example of Oral Sex Behaviour and Psychological Well-Being

Self-control is one of the essential components of self-regulation contributing to individual's success in many areas of behaviour. The present study aimed to investigate the differences in operation of trait self-control and domain-specific self-control (i.e. sexual restraint) as applied to oral sex behaviour and psychological well-being (PWB). 180 first year university students completed the online longitudinal survey on two time points, four months apart. Our results indicated that, while both types of self-control were important for engagement in oral sex in on cross-sectional level, only sexual self-control was found to have a longevity effect for this behaviour over time. The proposed functional difference between these two types of self-control was also evident in assessing PWB. Investigating relationship between trait and sexual self-controls and their effects on both sexual and non-sexual behaviour challenged the view on self-control as ‘intact entity' in regulating any type of behaviour and provided the evidence supporting the view that the regulation of domainspecific behaviour may be more heavily based on domain-specific type of self-control. Findings from this study can be used to further inform intervention programmes aimed to facilitate sexual behaviour change.