Self-Control and Delinquency in China: Examining the Mediating Role of Thoughtfully Reflective Decision Making

• Published date: 01 October 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00938548231180632
• Author: Xia Wang,Matthew Gricius,Wenrui Zhang
• Date: 01 October 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2023, Vol. 50, No. 10, October 2023, 1456 –1481.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548231180632

Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions

© 2023 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

1456

SELF-CONTROL AND DELINQUENCY IN CHINA

Examining the Mediating Role of Thoughtfully

Reflective Decision Making

XIA WANG

MATTHEW GRICIUS

WENRUI ZHANG

Arizona State University

Since Gottfredson and Hirschi proposed the general theory of crime, the direct link between self-control and delinquency has

gained strong empirical support. The indirect link, however, remains understudied. Meanwhile, although Gottfredson and

Hirschi argued that self-control theory can be applied in all cultural contexts, its generalizability needs to be tested under

different circumstances. This study addressed these gaps by assessing the relationship between self-control and delinquency

in China and introducing thoughtfully reflective decision making (TRDM) as the mediator of this relationship. Using self-

reported data from the city of Changzhi, China, this study finds that (a) self-control is closely related to TRDM, (b) low

self-control is significantly related to general and property delinquency for those with low morality, and (c) TRDM mediates

the relationship between low self-control and delinquency for those with low morality. We discuss these findings and their

implications for theory, research, and policy.

Keywords: self-control; decision making; delinquency; youth; China

INTRODUCTION

Since Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) proposed a causal relationship between low self-

control and crime, considerable research attention has been paid to the general theory of

crime. A large body of empirical research has established a direct effect of self-control on

delinquency and other misconduct (see T. C. Pratt & Cullen, 2000; Vazsonyi et al., 2017).

AUTHORS’ NOTE: We want to thank Scott Decker, Gary Sweeten, and Rick Trinkner for their suggestions

on a previous draft of this paper. We also thank Drs. Morgan, Olver, and Aizpurua and anonymous reviewers

for their constructive feedback and insights. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to

Xia Wang, Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central

Ave., Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85004; e-mail: xiawang@asu.edu.

1180632CJBXXX10.1177/00938548231180632Criminal Justice and BehaviorWang et al. / Self-Control and Delinquency in China

research-article2023

Wang et al. / SELF-CONTROL AND DELINQUENCY IN CHINA 1457

Indirect routes of low self-control’s influence on deviant behaviors, however, are underde-

veloped both theoretically and empirically (Reisig & Pratt, 2011, p. 613). This is a signifi-

cant oversight because there may be several potential factors influencing delinquency

through indirect approaches, and theory could be more powerful to predict delinquency by

integrating the common parts from different causal relationships (Tittle, 2000, p. 88; see

also Antonaccio & Tittle, 2008, p. 97; Longshore et al., 2004, p. 559). In particular, self-

control may influence individual consciousness development and behavioral recognition

(Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990; Wilson & Herrnstein, 1998), and individuals with underde-

veloped consciousness may not achieve complete thoughtfully reflective decision making

(TRDM). Furthermore, individuals with a higher level of TRDM are less likely to become

involved in crime and delinquency (see Paternoster et al., 2011; Paternoster & Pogarsky,

2009). Given its theoretical and empirical significance and its link to self-control and delin-

quency, TRDM may mediate the relationship between self-control and delinquency, which,

however, remains untested.

Meanwhile, recent research has underscored morality and its interaction with self-

control in shaping criminality (e.g., Antonaccio & Tittle, 2008; Wikström & Svensson,

2010; Y. Wu et al., 2022). Dominating this body of work is situational action theory

(SAT), which features morality as its central variable, arguing that all human action is

primarily a product of individual perceptions of action alternatives and choices, and moral-

ity not only affects crime independently but also moderates the impact of self-control on

crime (Wikström, 2004, 2014). Specifically, self-control may matter more for individuals

with lower levels of morality, as those individuals may need to rely on self-control to

refrain from delinquency. Individuals with higher levels of morality, however, can be

effectively restrained from delinquent activities as they do not see crime as a viable action

alternative, regardless of their levels of self-control (Barton-Crosby & Hirtenlehner, 2021;

Craig, 2018; Pauwels et al., 2018; Wikström & Svensson, 2010; but see Antonaccio &

Tittle, 2008; Gallupe & Baron, 2014; Y. Wu et al., 2022).

Furthermore, prior research has mostly examined the relationship between self-control

and delinquency and potential mediators of this relationship in Western cultures. This over-

sight is notable because the relationship between self-control and delinquency may be spe-

cific to Western cultures, and self-control, an individual trait, may be less salient to

individuals in collectivistic societies (e.g., Cheung & Cheung, 2008; Wang et al., 2019). In

addition, studies that do not take into account the importance of moral beliefs may run the

risk of presenting an incomplete theoretical framework in the Chinese context, primarily

due to the vital role moral beliefs play in Confucian ideology that remains powerful in

Chinese society.

Against this backdrop, this study examines TRDM as a mediator between low self-

control and delinquency in China. Specifically, using the survey data collected in

Changzhi, China, this study aims to address several questions. First, is self-control related

to TRDM? Second, does the relationship between self-control and delinquency depend on

morality? Third, does TRDM mediate the relationship between low self-control and

delinquency? Below we begin by discussing the relevant theoretical and empirical

research and develop a series of hypotheses derived from this work. After describing the

data and measures, we present the findings and discuss the study’s implications for the-

ory, research, and policy.