The Impact of Strain on Self-control: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents

• In Event: Predictors and Moderators of Self-control on Crime

Abstract

The goal of this study is to extend research on the causes of self-control by examining the effects of strain. We focus in particular on the effects of bullying victimization and grade dissatisfaction on self-control levels across three waves of data collected from youth as they age from roughly 14 to 16 years old. We estimate two-level random effects regression models using HLM 7.0. The result revealed that these two strain variables have negative, significant within-individual and between-individual effects on adolescent self-control. In addition, adolescents who have experienced a higher level of mean grade dissatisfaction over 3 years showed a more decreasing trajectory in the development of self-control during the same period. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Joonggon Kim, Florida State University

• Sonja Siennick, Florida State University

• Carter Hay, Florida State University