Citation

Meldrum RC, Young JTN, Weerman FM. J. Crim. Justice 2012; 40(6): 452-462.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2012.07.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE: Previous research o n changes in self-control during adolescence provides evidence of stability for most individuals but change for some, drawing attention to the role of factors that may account for change. We contribute to this area of research by examining the extent to which changes in peer self-control and peer delinquency within peer networks is related to individual self-control during adolescence.

METHOD: This study uses longitudinal social network data from three waves of the NSCR School Project to construct growth curve models of self-control and MLM models to examine the factors that contribute to changes in self-control.

RESULTS: Growth curve models demonstrate within and between-individual differences in changes to self-control that occur between ages 12-17. Furthermore, multilevel models reveal that changes in levels of self-control and delinquency among respondent's peers are related to between-individual differences and within-individual changes in self-control, net of parental social control.

CONCLUSIONS: This study finds that self-control continues to evolve during adolescence as a result of processes that take place within adolescent peer-networks, calling into question Gottfredson and Hirschi's contention that peers are inconsequential for explaining differences in self-control across individuals. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. KW: Juvenile justice; Juvenile delinquency;

Language: en