Inflated Ego or Low Impulse Control : Which Personality Aspect Predicts Juvenile Delinquency Better?

Sammanfattning: Juvenile delinquency is a widely known problem and some adolescents are constantly engaging in delinquency. The present study examined two types of broader risky personality factors, termed “Inflated Ego” and “Low Impulse Control”, and how the two factors were related to delinquency and antisocial behaviors for adolescent boys and girls. The data was drawn from a large community sample of youths in 8th and 9th grade. The results showed that for both boys and girls, the two factors were similarly related to an antisocial lifestyle and delinquency. However, a low impulse control was the critical risk factor for persistence in delinquency. In conclusion, there is not only one single personality factor behind adolescents’ delinquency, but low impulse control seems to be the most essential predictor.