Testing the General Theory of Crime with the Circumplex Model: Curvilinear Relations between Family Functioning and Self Control
ABSTRACT The relation between family and low self control is usually studied within linear hypotheses. In this study, we intended to test the familial origin of self control under a curvilinear hypothesis. This is a cross sectional study, with a sample of 448 adolescents and young adults. Data analysis was based on correlation and regression based statistics. Results revealed linear associations between family functioning and juvenile deviant behavior, contrary to self control which presented curvilinear relations with family cohesion and flexibility (i.e. both high and low extreme levels were associated with low self control) This finding suggests a new approach to the familial origin of low self control.
Deviant Behavior