Evaluating the effects of birth complications on low self-control in a sample of twins

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2005 Aug;49(4):450-71. doi: 10.1177/0306624X05274687.

Abstract

Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory has generated an abundance of research examining the effects of low self-control on crime and analogous behaviors. Less research, however, has focused on the factors that contribute to the development of low self-control. Gottfredson and Hirschi maintain that ineffective parents are the sole cause for the emergence of low self-control. At the same time, they disregard the possibility that low self-control has a biological or genetic component. This article extends prior research and examines the effects of birth complications and parental involvement on low self-control. Using a sample of twin children, the authors find that parental involvement is only weakly and inconsistently related to low self-control. On the other hand, although most of the birth complications had no appreciable effect on low self-control, anoxia (oxygen starvation) emerged as the strongest and most consistent predictor of low self-control.

Publication types

  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / genetics
  • Child Behavior Disorders / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Criminal Psychology
  • Diseases in Twins / genetics
  • Diseases in Twins / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Internal-External Control*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Obstetric Labor Complications / psychology*
  • Parenting / psychology
  • Personality Assessment
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Care
  • Socialization