Missing Data: Understanding the Role of Self-Control

• In Event: Research on the Measurement of Self-Control

Abstract

Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) argue that low self-control has important implications for tasks that require tenacity. One area is in the completion of self-report surveys. They argue that those with low self-control are not likely to have the tenacity to properly complete surveys. Hirschi (2004) suggests that individuals that have higher levels of self-control do not suffer from the same tenacity issues. Thus, those with higher levels of self-control are less likely to report missing data on self-report surveys. Using data from a nationally representative data set, we show that those with low self-control are more likely to have higher levels of missing data on self-report surveys than those with higher levels of self-control. The implications of this study will be discussed.

Authors

• Anthony G. Vito, University of Louisville

• EmmaLeigh Kirchner, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

• Dustin Osborne, University of Louisville

• George E. Higgins, University of Louisville