Adolescent social bond, self-control and deviant behavior in China

Abstract

Based on Hirschi's social control theory and the theory of self-control developed by Gottfredson and Hirschi, this research developed a structural equation model and tested it on 527 adolescents in Southern China. The objective was to determine how adolescent social bond and self-control affect substance use and deviant behavior. Findings indicate that adolescent family attachment, parental supervision, and belief are directly and negatively related to their substance use. Adolescent educational commitment is negatively and strongly related to their deviant behaviors. However, adolescent impulsivity is not related to either substance use or deviant behavior, and their persistency is positively instead of negatively related to their substance use. The findings of this research seem to support Hirschi's social control theory. Gottfredson and Hirschi's newer theory of self-control fails to predict for the Chinese adolescents.