Citation

Kundakova M, Rima D, Atakhanova G, Temirbolat N, Beaver KM. J. Interpers. Violence 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260520976215

PMID

33283601

Abstract

Gottfredson and Hirschi's theory of low self-control has generated a considerable amount of research and the results of these studies have shown that low levels of self-control are consistently associated with involvement in antisocial outcomes. Despite the empirical support for this theory, there still remain areas of it that need to be more fully evaluated. Once such area is whether self-control is associated with antisocial outcomes in samples of immigrants. The current study sought to address this gap in the literature. To do so, data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) were analyzed. The results of the statistical models revealed that low levels of self-control were associated with increases in self-reported delinquency, being arrested, being convicted of a crime, being sentenced to probation, being incarcerated, and being victimized. Taken together, the results of this study show that self-control is a robust predictor of antisocial outcomes among immigrants. We conclude by identifying limitations of the current study and directions for future research.

Language: en

Keywords

crime; immigration; victimization; delinquency; Add Health; self-control