NCJ Number
243866
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 41 Issue: 5 Dated: September - October 2013 Pages: 300-308
Date Published
October 2013
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examined the genetic and environmental factors associated with stability and changes in self-control over a 4-year period, of youth ages 15 through 19.
Abstract
The study confirmed the hypothesis posed based on a review of existing relevant research, i.e., that both genetic and environmental factors account for both stability and change in self-control over time. Levels of self-control remained highly stable over the 4-year time period. Although genetic and environmental factors both influenced this stability, genetic factors were the stronger set. Regarding changes in self-control, both changes in the activity of genes and changing environmental factors influenced changes in self-control. For future research, it is essential that verified statistical modeling techniques directly model genetic influences. Failure to do so will likely result in a biased knowledge base regarding the causes, consequences, and nature of self-control which is well established as a factor in antisocial/criminal behavior. This study analyzed a sample of kinship pairs drawn from the Child and Young Adult Supplement of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979. This consists of a sample of youth born to mothers from the original 1979 sample. In order to assess the development of each child over time, biennial interviews asked mothers to report on the emotional, cognitive, and physiological status of their children. Interviews began in 1986 with a total of 5,255 children. The current study focused on interviews conducted for each of the years from 1994 to 1998. The sample consisted of 13 MZ twin pairs; 284 DZ/full-sibling pairs; 53 ambiguous sibling pairs; and 370 half-sibling pairs. Low self-control was measured during waves 1994, 1996, and 1998 by items drawn from the Behavioral Problems Index. Tables, figure, appendix, and references