Bidirectional associations between self-regulation and deviance from adolescence to adulthood. (17th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Billen, Eva; Garofalo, Carlo; Weller, Joshua A.; Kirisci, Levent; Reynolds, Maureen; Tarter, Ralph E.; Bogaerts, Stefan
• Is Part Of: Development and psychopathology. Volume 34:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 344
• Publication Date: 2022-02-17
• Subjects: bidirectional -- deviance -- longitudinal -- self-regulation -- RI-CLPM; Child psychopathology -- Periodicals; Developmental psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 618.9289
• DOI: 10.1017/S0954579420000656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-5794

Abstract

Abstract: Self-regulation is considered a major predictor of crime and deviant behavior. However, longitudinal research investigating these associations, frequently looked only at the effect of self-regulation on deviant behavior, but not the other way around. The current study argued that deviance may contribute to later problems in self-regulation, and examined bidirectional associations, comparing a unidirectional and bidirectional model of associations between these variables. A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model and eight data waves from 772 participants, aged 10–12 years to 30 years were used. Results showed that a bidirectional model fit the data better than a unidirectional model. The final model revealed an influence of deviance on self-regulation mainly in adolescence, whereas self-regulation influenced deviance only over two time points in adulthood. The results suggest that, in adolescence, problems in self-regulation may follow, rather than precede deviant behavior. Thus, decreasing deviant behavior or intervening in the aftermaths of deviant behavior in adolescence might have a positive effect on self-regulation in young adulthood, lowering the chance of adult deviant behavior. The current study shows that the long-presumed directionality of self-regulation to deviance can lead to bias, and more rigorous longitudinal research is needed in order to further inform theory and practice.