The Effects of Social Bonding theory and Self-Control theory on Delinquency

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

This study assesses the effectiveness of social bonding and self-control theories in explaining delinquency using structural equation modeling. The study examines mediating effects of the key variables of social bonding theory on an individual’s levels of self-control and its relation to their delinquency. Two waves of data from the research on pathways to desistance (2010): the baseline survey and the 24-month follow-up period survey. The data consist of more than a thousand at-risk juveniles in Philadelphia, PA and Phoenix, AZ. The results indicate that an individual’s levels of self-control play a significant role in explaining their delinquency. However, the effect of self-control on delinquency was not mediated by social bonds. More specifically, only a variable of the social bonds variables (belief) was statistically significant without controlling for self-control. However, when the self-control was included in the model, the effects of social bonds variables were diminished. Thus, findings do not support theoretical models incorporating social bonding and self-control theories. Implications and future research directions will be discussed.

Authors

• Keeyoon Noh, Texas State University

• Kyle Mueller, Texas State University