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Who Influences Whom? Examining Self-Control and Delinquent Peer Dynamics among Justice-Involved Youth
Hyunmin Park1, Jennifer H Peck2, James V Ray1
1Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida, 12805 Pegasus Drive, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Self-control and association with delinquent peers have a reciprocal relationship. Higher self-control reduces delinquent peer involvement, while more involvement with delinquent peers decreases self-control over time.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- The relationship between self-control and delinquent peer association is debated.
- It is unclear if these constructs influence each other reciprocally over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally examine the reciprocal relationship between self-control and delinquent peer association in adolescents.
- To investigate the independent or mutual influence of these constructs over time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Pathways to Desistance study.
- Employed a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM).
- Analyzed data from 1,354 adolescents over seven years.
Main Results:
- Both self-control and delinquent peer association showed reciprocal effects.
- Higher self-control was associated with lower delinquent peer association, and vice versa.
- Self-control's influence on delinquent peer association became more stable and stronger in later years.
Conclusions:
- Self-control and delinquent peer association mutually influence each other.
- Self-control plays an increasingly significant role in peer associations during emerging adulthood.
- Findings suggest self-control is a key factor in desistance from offending.
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