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Aspirations, Expectations and Delinquency: The Moderating Effect of Impulse Control
Alissa Mahler1, Cortney Simmons2, Paul J Frick3,4
1University of California, Irvine, USA. amahler@uci.edu.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|April 1, 2017
Summary
Adolescent aspirations and expectations influence delinquent behavior. However, aspirations only impact behavior in youth with higher impulse control, suggesting a need for psychosocial development to align future goals with present actions.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Prior research links adolescent delinquent behavior to expectations (perceived likelihood of future goals).
- Fewer studies examine aspirations (perceived importance of future goals) or how traits like impulsivity influence goal-related behavior.
- The aspiration-expectation gap (strain) and its impact on delinquency require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the independent effects of expectations, aspirations, and strain on delinquent behavior in adolescents post-arrest.
- To examine the moderating role of impulse control on the relationship between aspirations, expectations, strain, and delinquency.
Main Methods:
- A large, racially/ethnically diverse sample of 1117 male adolescents was analyzed.
- Data were collected following the adolescent's first arrest.
- Statistical analyses assessed the unique effects of aspirations, expectations, and strain, and their interaction with impulse control.
Main Results:
- Aspirations, expectations, and strain each uniquely influenced criminal behavior.
- A significant interaction was found between aspirations and impulse control.
- Aspirations affected delinquency only in adolescents with higher impulse control.
Conclusions:
- Both aspirations and expectations are significant predictors of adolescent delinquency.
- The influence of aspirations on behavior is contingent upon an adolescent's level of impulse control.
- Psychosocial capabilities, particularly impulse control, are crucial for aspirations to deter present-day delinquent behavior.
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