Examining Self-Control as a Multidimensional Predictor of Crime and Drug Use in Adolescents with Criminal Histories

The general theory of crime posits that variability in propensities to engage in crime and deviance is partly a function of individual differences in low self-control (LSC). LSC is hypothesized to comprise of six subdomains: impulsiveness, preference for physical activities, risk seeking, self-centeredness, preference for simple tasks, and volatile temper. Using structural equation modeling, LSC was examined to determine if a global self-control measure or a multidimensional measure of its subdomains was a more salient predictor of violent and property crimes and drug use among adolescent male offenders (n = 317). Only the multidimensional model adequately fit the data. Risk seeking predicted violent and property crimes, whereas volatile temper predicted violent crimes and drug use. The general theory of crime may obscure differences in the explanatory power of self-control subfactors for specific types of crime, especially within at-risk youth. Findings have implications for effective interventions among adolescent males with criminal histories.