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ABSTRACT
Analysis presented provides strong support for considering individual differences along personality dimensions to predict self-reported delinquency. The paper provides an explicit test of the Gottfredson and Hirschi concept of self-control and its utility in explaining variation in interpersonal delinquency, theft, vandalism, legal substance use, illegal substance use, and impnident behaviors. Multivariate analysis demonstrates that while the predictive power of the composite self-control measure is substantial, the six dimensions of self-control outlined by Gottfredson and Hirschi should not be combined into one self-control construct, but should instead be treated as six different personality characteristics when seeking (o explain different types of delinquency. The self-control construct and its six dimensions are tested independently on a sample of 975 juvenile respondents from Oklahoma who participated in a self-report survey in 1991. Findings suggest the dissagregation of both the Gottfredson and Hirschi self-control measure, and composite measures of delinquency commonly used in delinquency research.
