An empirical test of self-control theory in Roma adolescents

Alexander T. Vazsonyi, Gabriela Ksinan Jiskrova, Albert J. Ksinan, Marek Blatný

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The current study tested the applicability of self-control theory in Roma adolescents, one of the largest ethnic minorities in Europe; it compared mean levels in deviance measures and correlates (parenting and low self-control) in Roma versus non-Roma Czech youth. Methods: Questionnaire data were collected from Roma (n=239, 47.5% female, Mage=14.02) and non-Roma (n=130, 47.7% female, Mage=14.71) adolescents residing in the Czech Republic. Measures included maternal parenting processes, low self-control, and deviance (alcohol use, school misconduct, and theft). Results: Findings from SEM analyses provided evidence that perceived maternal support predicted lower deviance both directly and indirectly via low self-control, while perceived maternal conflict predicted lower self-control and higher deviance. No differences were found between Roma and non-Roma adolescents in mean deviance scores or in the links between parenting, low self-control, and deviance. Conclusion: Roma adolescents did not differ from ethnic Czech adolescents in rates of deviance or the developmental processes focused on age-appropriate indicators of deviance. Thus, this evidence further extends the reach of Gottfredson and Hirschi's seminal theoretical work to ethnic minorities outside of North America.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)66-76
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Criminal Justice
Volume44
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Keywords

  • Cross-cultural
  • Deviance
  • Parenting
  • Roma
  • Romani
  • Self-control

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Applied Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Law

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