Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the effect of impulsive and callous personality traits on delinquent behavior varied across neighborhood context in a population-based, statewide sample of 85,000 Iowa schoolchildren ages 10-19. Two previous studies examining the association between impulsivity and delinquency across disadvantaged and affluent neighborhoods have yielded contrasting findings. Results of the present study suggested a robust moderating effect of neighborhood context on personality risk for delinquency. The relation between impulsivity and delinquency was greater in neighborhoods low in collective efficacy compared to neighborhoods high in collective efficacy. A similar interaction was found for callous personality traits, indicating the consistency of the moderating effect of neighborhood context on personality risk for delinquency. Gender differences were also examined, and results were replicated in a holdout sample.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 377-385 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Abnormal Psychology |
Volume | 117 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- callousness
- delinquency
- gender differences
- impulsivity
- neighborhood context
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry