Investigating Sex-Related Moderation Effects and Mediation Effects of Self-Control on Delinquency Among Portuguese Youth

• Date: 01 June 2021
• Published date: 01 June 2021
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X20981037
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X20981037

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2021, Vol. 65(8) 882 –898

© The Author(s) 2020

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X20981037

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Article

Investigating Sex-Related

Moderation Effects and

Mediation Effects of Self-

Control on Delinquency

Among Portuguese Youth

Pedro Pechorro1, Matt DeLisi2,

Jorge Quintas1, Rui Abrunhosa Gonçalves3,

and João Maroco4

Abstract

Self-control refers to the ability to override impulses and behave in accordance

with societal norms. Deficits in self-control are strongly associated with conduct

problems, externalizing disorders, crime, and violence. The main aim of the present

study is to investigate possible moderation and mediation effects related to self-

control. A school sample of male (n = 257, M = 15.97 years, SD = .98 years) and female

(n = 213, M = 15.79 years, SD = 1.03 years) youth from Portugal agreed to participate.

Moderation analysis revealed that sex moderates the relationship between self-

control and aggression, conduct disorder symptoms, and self-reported delinquency.

Mediation analysis revealed that self-control mediates the relations between both

triarchic psychopathic traits and dark triad traits, and the self-reported juvenile

delinquency outcome. The findings suggest that self-control exerts significant effects

on the criminal/antisocial-related variables examined among Portuguese youth.

Keywords

delinquency, dark triad, mediation, moderation, psychopathy, self-control

1University of Porto, Portugal

2Iowa State University, Ames, USA

3University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

4ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal

Corresponding Author:

Pedro Pechorro, School of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 223,

4050-123 Porto, Portugal.

Email: ppechorro@gmail.com

981037IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X20981037International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyPechorro et al.

research-article2020

Pechorro et al. 883

Introduction

Self-control is one of the most important constructs in the social and behavioral sci-

ences due to the essential roles that emotional and behavioral regulation plays in

behavioral functioning. Whereas those with moderate to high self-control are more

likely to benefit from greater socioeconomic status, higher achievement, more harmo-

nious relationships, better psychiatric and physical health and broad prosocial conduct

(Clinkinbeard et al., 2018; DeLisi, 2013; Duckworth & Seligman, 2005; Mischel

et al., 1989; Tangney et al., 2004), those with significant deficits in self-control are

more likely to suffer from aversive and challenging relationships, reduced socioeco-

nomic status and less wealth, more psychiatric and medical problems, substance use,

and involvement in numerous forms of antisocial behavior (Beaver et al., 2009; Caspi

et al., 2016; DeLisi, 2011; Moffitt et al., 2011; Venables et al., 2018; Zemel et al.,

2018). Several systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and monographs (e.g., de Ridder

et al., 2012; Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990; Hay & Meldrum, 2015; Tehrani & Yamini,

2020; Vazsonyi et al., 2017; Walters, 2016) support the critical role of self-control

in understanding conduct problems, delinquency, violence, and related maladaptive

behaviors.

Moderation and Mediation Mechanisms, Sex, and Self-Control

While the main effects of self-control on antisocial behavior are unequivocal, there is

less clarity about mediation and moderation relationships between self-control, allied

psychological constructs, and deviant behavior. This is especially true in regard to sex

as a moderator between self-control and antisocial conduct where there are competing

viewpoints about the role of sex vis-à-vis self-regulation and offending.

In their influential theory, Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) argued that all criminal

behavior can be easily explained by the levels of self-control, and that the influence of

self-control is invariant across different age, ethnicity/race, and gender groups. More

specifically, the authors postulated that self-control was associated with imprudent and

antisocial behaviors and this effect was similar in magnitude among female and male

offenders. Due to the powerful and cross-situational effects of self-control on conduct

problems, it was believed that self-control would transcend any developmental differ-

ences that exist across sex. Moreover, the sex gap in delinquency is mainly accounted

for substantial differences across sex in self-control. According to Gottfredson and

Hirschi, (1990, p. 149, italics in original), “It seems to us to follow that the impact of

gender on crime is largely a result of crime differences and differences in self-control

that are not produced by direct external control.”

Empirical research supports Gottfredson and Hirschi’s contentions. To illustrate,

Muftić and Updegrove (2018) examined linkages between self-control and delin-

quency among more than 35,000 adolescents selected from 31 nations from the

International Self-Report Delinquenc 2 Study. They found the associations between

parenting problems, self-control and delinquency operated similarly for females and

males. However, males had significantly lower levels of self-control and commensu-

rately higher delinquent involvement than females. Overall support for the generality