Testing the stability of self-control: identifying unique developmental patterns and associated risk factors
Gottfredson and Hirschi suggest that individuals? levels of self-control remain stable over the life course; however, the empirical status of this proposition remains equivocal. Most tests of the stability hypothesis have employed aggregate assessment methods (e.g., mean-level and correlational anal...
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| Contributors: | ; ; |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2013
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| In: |
Criminal justice and behavior
Year: 2013, Volume: 40, Issue: 6, Pages: 588-607 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Keywords: |
| Summary: | Gottfredson and Hirschi suggest that individuals? levels of self-control remain stable over the life course; however, the empirical status of this proposition remains equivocal. Most tests of the stability hypothesis have employed aggregate assessment methods (e.g., mean-level and correlational analyses) that overlook unique developmental patterns, although some have identified unique developmental patterns in self-control. The current study assesses the stability of self-control across 4 years using both traditional analytic methods and methods that account for the existence of unique developmental patterns (i.e., semiparametric group-based trajectory modeling) and exploring risk factors that differentiate these patterns. The results suggest six unique developmental patterns of self-control: two with high stable trajectories and four that evinced lower, less stable trajectories of self-control. The findings indicate that lower, less stable patterns of development are associated with more delinquent peer association, higher rates of parental criminality, fewer school bonds, and weaker maternal attachment. |
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| ISSN: | 1552-3594 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0093854812464222 |
