Bidirectional associations between self-regulation and deviance from adolescence to adulthood.

Self-regulation is considered a major predictor of crime and deviant behavior. However, longitudinal research investigating these associations, frequently looked only at the effect of self-regulation on deviant behavior, but not the other way around. The current study argued that deviance may contribute to later problems in self-regulation, and examined bidirectional associations, comparing a unidirectional and bidirectional model of associations between these variables. A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model and eight data waves from 772 participants, aged 10-12 years to 30 years were used. Results showed that a bidirectional model fit the data better than a unidirectional model. The final model revealed an influence of deviance on self-regulation mainly in adolescence, whereas self-regulation influenced deviance only over two time points in adulthood. The results suggest that, in adolescence, problems in self-regulation may follow, rather than precede deviant behavior. Thus, decreasing deviant behavior or intervening in the aftermaths of deviant behavior in adolescence might have a positive effect on self-regulation in young adulthood, lowering the chance of adult deviant behavior. The current study shows that the long-presumed directionality of self-regulation to deviance can lead to bias, and more rigorous longitudinal research is needed in order to further inform theory and practice.

Self-regulation all bass-ackwards: Similarities and differences in component structure in community and forensic psychiatric populations.

Self-regulation is a multifaceted construct that is defined as the ability to change thoughts, emotions, and behavior to achieve a desired state or effect. Despite its relevance for forensic psychology and other fields within psychology, its complexity and varied operationalization make it difficult to compare and draw conclusions from research. The present study aimed to elucidate the construct of self-regulation by applying a Bass-Ackwards component analysis to multiple scales of self-regulatory components in both a general population sample of males (n = 200) and females (n = 118) and in a forensic psychiatric sample (n = 94). Results indicated that although there are some differences between the component structure in each group, three general components of self-regulation emerged, capturing emotion regulation, risk behavior, and cognitive regulation. This suggests that although sample-specific measures might be useful, any comprehensive measure of self-regulation should contain elements of each of these three domains. This study contributes to clinical practice by emphasizing that interventions aimed at increasing self-regulation should focus on emotion regulation, risk behavior, and cognitive regulation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Trajectories of Dynamic Risk Factors During Forensic Treatment: Growth Trajectory of Clinical Risk Factors in a Sample of Dutch Forensic Patients.

In this study, growth trajectories (from admission until unconditional release) of crime-related dynamic risk factors were investigated in a sample of Dutch forensic patients (N = 317), using latent growth curve modeling. After testing the unconditional model, three predictors were added: first-time offender versus recidivist, age, and treatment duration. Postanalyses were chi-square difference tests, t tests, and analyses of variance (ANOVAs) to assess differences in trajectories. Overall, on scale level, a decrease of risk factors over time was found. The predictors showed no significant slope differences although age and treatment duration differed significantly at some time points. The oldest age group performed worse, especially at later time points. Treatment duration effects were found at the second time point. Our results that forensic patients show a decrease in crime-related risk factors may indicate that treatment is effective. This study also found differences in growth rates, indicating the effect of individual differences.