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Introduction: This 33‐year study examined associations between self‐control development in adolescence and forgivingness, i.e., the dispositional tendency to forgive others, in middle adulthood. Methods: Participants were 1350 adults aged 45 years (50.6% female). Self‐control was measured yearly from age 12 to 16, while forgivingness was measured at age 45. Results: Results indicated significant individual differences in level and change of self‐control across the adolescent years and an average mean‐level increase. Individual differences in level and change in self‐control were independently associated with forgivingness in middle adulthood. Individuals who either entered adolescence with higher self‐control, and/or increased in self‐control during the adolescent years, reported higher scores in forgivingness at age 45 compared to peers. This pattern held even after controlling for gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and conduct problems in adolescence. Conclusion: The current findings demonstrate that developmental processes in adolescence are important for individual differences in the dispositional tendency to forgive others in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This 23-year study explored the predictive associations between empathy development in adolescence and self-reported social competencies and outcomes in adulthood. Participants were 1,527 adults aged 35 years (48.3% female). The predictor variable (adolescent empathy) was measured yearly at the ages of 12 to 16 years. The outcome variables (adult empathy, communication skills, social integration, relationship satisfaction, and conflicts in relationships) were measured at the age of 35 years. Five important results stand out. First, longitudinal measurement invariance was established for the measure of adolescent empathy. Second, empathy tended to increase during the adolescent years. Third, significant interindividual differences in level and change of adolescent empathy were found. Fourth, gender was related to level of adolescent empathy, favoring girls over boys. Fifth, not only level but also change in adolescent empathy predicted individual differences in social competencies in adulthood two decades later. These findings demonstrate that developmental processes that are relevant for adjustment reveal long-term social consequences beyond the adolescent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]