Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Self-Control, Gender, and Age

2005; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 40; Issue: 3-4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1300/j076v40n03_06

1540-8558

Brent B. Benda, Nancy J. Toombs, Robert F. Corwyn,

Behavioral Health and Interventions

Abstract This study of 572 male and 120 female graduates of a boot camp investigates the potency of self-control as a predictor of recidivism in comparison to gender, age, and elements of life-course theory. It also examines whether the effects of self-control on recidivism are commensurate within the categories of gender. Recidivism is defined as a felony conviction or parole violation in a 5-year follow-up period. Cox's Proportional-Hazards Models indicate that self-control, gender, and age are significant predictors of recidivism when they are considered separately, and self-control and gender remain significant predictors when they are analyzed simultaneously. Furthermore, analyses show that low self-control is a stronger predictor of recidivism among men than women. Low self-control is a significant predictor of recidivism after elements of life-course theory are added to an analysis that also includes age and gender. Implications of these findings for self-control theory are discussed.