Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
07:01
Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
8.3K
Bidirectional associations between self-regulation and deviance from adolescence to adulthood
Eva Billen1,2, Carlo Garofalo1,2, Joshua A Weller1,3
1Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands.
Development and Psychopathology
|July 18, 2020
Summary
Deviant behavior in adolescence may predict later self-regulation problems, challenging the view that self-regulation solely predicts deviance. This bidirectional link suggests interventions targeting adolescent deviance can improve adult self-regulation.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Self-regulation is a key predictor of criminal and deviant behavior.
- Previous longitudinal studies primarily examined self-regulation's effect on deviance, neglecting the reverse.
- The established unidirectional model may overlook crucial bidirectional influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bidirectional relationship between self-regulation and deviant behavior.
- To compare the fit of unidirectional versus bidirectional models.
- To understand the developmental trajectory of these associations across adolescence and adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Employed a Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model.
- Utilized eight waves of longitudinal data from 772 participants.
- Tracked participants from early adolescence (10-12 years) to adulthood (30 years).
Main Results:
- The bidirectional model demonstrated a superior fit to the data compared to the unidirectional model.
- Deviant behavior significantly influenced self-regulation during adolescence.
- Self-regulation impacted deviant behavior only across two specific time points in adulthood.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent self-regulation problems may be a consequence, not a cause, of deviant behavior.
- Interventions reducing adolescent deviant behavior could enhance young adult self-regulation.
- Rethinking the directionality of self-regulation and deviance is crucial for accurate theoretical and practical insights.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
851
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
851
01:25Self-Regulation
146
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
146
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
207
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are...
207
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.6K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.6K
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
361
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
361
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
162
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
162