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Asian Social Science; Vol. 11, No. 21; 2015
ISSN 1911-2017 E-ISSN 1911-2025
Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education
193
Low Self-Control, Peer Delinquency and Aggression among
Adolescents in Malaysia
Pit-Wan Pung1, Siti Nor Yaacob2, Rozumah Baharudin2 & Syuhaily Osman1
1 Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
2 Family, Adolescent and Child Research Centre of Excellence, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
Correspondence: Pit-Wan Pung, Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang,
Selangor, Malaysia. Tel: 60-17-613-6606. E-mail: carinepung@hotmail.com
Received: April 16, 2015 Accepted: May 7, 2015 Online Published: July 6, 2015
doi:10.5539/ass.v11n21p193 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v11n21p193
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between low self-control, peer delinquency and
aggression among adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Selangor, Malaysia among 413
adolescents. The participants were selected from 12 secondary schools by using Multistage Cluster Sampling
Technique. Self-Control Scale (Grasmick, Tittle, Bursik, & Arneklev, 1993), The Peer Delinquency Scale
(Loeber, Farrington, Stouthamer-Loeber, & Van Kammen, 1998) and Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry,
1992) were used to examine the relationships between adolescents’ low self-control, peer delinquency, and
aggression. Results showed that there were significant positive relationships between low self-control, peer
delinquency and aggression among adolescents. The result also indicated that low self-control has an indirect
effect on aggression through peer delinquency. Peer delinquency served as a partial mediator. Low self-control
and peer delinquency are important factors in the development of aggression among adolescents.
Keywords: low self-control, peer delinquency, aggression, adolescents
1. Introduction
Aggression can be defined as any action that intends to harm or injure another living being who intends to avoid
such treatment (Shaffer, 2005). Aggression among adolescents is seen as a serious social problem in many
societies and it has gained the attention of those in the field of mental health, prevention experts, media and
school authorities. Most of the aggression cases occur in school setting (Chapman, 2010; Sagayam & Wong,
2010; Veera Pandiyan, 2010). The instances of aggression among adolescents include bullying, spreading
rumours, hitting and hurting (Michaud, 2009; Sullivan, Farrell, & Kliewer, 2006; Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990).
Social Welfare Department of Malaysia (2013) reported that the number of crimes involving juveniles has
increased 30.8% throughout 2009 to 2013. These figures may indicate that adolescents are becoming more
aggressive. Among the crimes committed include possession of weapons, flouting traffic rules, truancy, being
involved in criminal activities related to the property of others, gambling, substance abuse, and trespassing
prohibited areas.
Past studies (Proctor, 2006; Moretti, Obsuth, Odgers, & Reebye, 2006; Sheehan & Watson, 2008) had explored
the negative impacts of aggression. Aggression among adolescents might lead to serious negative consequences
both to the victims and the aggressors. The victims might experience social rejection as peers might refrain from
interacting with them to avoid being threatened by the aggressors. In addition, the victims may develop
psychological and personality disorder, experience physical injury and death, show poor academic performance
and have bleak future career (Chee-Leong, 2006). Majority of the aggressors are also involved in vandalism,
smoking, drinking and fighting (Olweus, 1993 as cited in Chee-Leong, 2006) which clearly violate school rules
and regulations, resulting in the aggressors being terminated from school.
Self-control plays a crucial role in influencing the behaviours of adolescents. Past studies (Winstok, 2009; Stuart,
2005; Ezinga, Weerman, Westenberg & Bijleveld, 2008; Kim, Namkoong, Ku, & Kim, 2008) found that low
level of self-control among adolescents was linked to aggressive behaviour. According to Arneklev, Grasmick,
Title and Bursik (1993), people with low level of self-control tend to be impulsive, seek risky activities, and
self-centred. Self-control theory claims that low self-control people have characteristics such as impulsive, show
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temper, prefer simpler tasks, engage in risky activities, and are self-centred. These characteristics may lead to
involvement in aggression. Conversely, having a high self-control is seen to reduce the probability for
adolescents to act aggressively (Grottfredson & Hirschi, 1990). In short, self-control serves as a mechanism that
inhibits formation of negative behaviour as it assists adolescents to resist temptations (Ezinga, Weerman,
Westenberg & Bijleveld, 2008).
The function and importance of peer group are crucial throughout the adolescence period (Harris, 2000;
Espelage, 2010). Peers become important for adolescents in terms of socializing with the world outside home
(Harris, 2000). Adolescents who experience peer delinquency may behave in an aggressive way (Espelage, Holt,
& Henkel, 2003; Padilla-Walker & Bean, 2009; Faris & Ennett, 2012). This is because they tend to behave
similar to their delinquent peers in order to gain acceptance and appreciation from them (Eldeleklioglu, 2007).
Peer delinquency was also noted to have a major impact on the development of adolescents (Deptula & Cohen,
2004) as it increases the production of aggressive solutions among adolescents. Adolescents learn to value
aggressive solutions positively and they will behave aggressively.
Previous studies found that peer delinquency significantly contributed to adolescents’ aggression and peer
delinquency is generated by the low self-control. According to Chapper (2005), the role of peer delinquency as a
mediator on the relationship between self-control and aggression illustrates that self-control influence
adolescents’ aggression through peer delinquency. According to the Gottfredson and Hirschi’s Self-Control
Theory (1990), adolescents with low self-control tend to be more associated with delinquent peers. This is
because they are less able to build-up a stable relationship with friends and therefore, they choose to befriend
with each other. According to Olson and Hoza (1993), adolescents who have low self-control may have higher
chances to experience peer rejection and in turn, they are more likely to associate with the negative peers.
Undoubtedly, association with delinquent peers causes adolescents to behave in a negative way such as
becoming aggressive (Longshore, Chang, Hsieh, & Messina, 2004).
Based on this brief overview, this study examined the relationships between low self-control, peer delinquency
and aggression among adolescents. In addition, this study examined the mediating role of peer delinquency on
the relationship between low self-control and aggression.
2. Literature Reviews
2.1 Self-Control and Aggression
According to Buker (2011), self-control is treated as a crucial concept in explaining people’s behaviour.
Baumeister, Heatherton, and Tice (1994) defined self-control as an ability to override and inhibit the undesirable
impulse, regulate negative thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Self-control is a conscious effort that could inhibit
people from behaving in unacceptable manner (Muraven & Baumeister, 2000; Eisenberg, Zhou, Spinrad,
Valiente, Fabes, & Liew, 2005; Tangney, Baumeister, & Boone, 2004). According to Gyurak and Ayduk (2008),
individual with high level of self-control could postpone the urge to gain immediate satisfaction and lower the
chance to engage in aggressive behaviour.
Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) claimed that self-control serves as a vital role in the development of negative
behaviour among adolescents such as aggression and criminal behaviour. Accordingly, those with low level of
self-control have high tendency to behave impulsively and therefore, they are easily engaged in negative behaviour.
They are self-centred and prefer simple task. These characteristics may push adolescents toward negative
behaviour.
A study of Cheung and Cheung (2008) reported that self-control significantly linked with aggression. Ezinga,
Weerman, Westenberg and Bijleveld (2008) aimed to determine the link between self-control (temper, impulsive
and adventure) and adolescents’ problem behaviours (bullying, finding, and vandalising). The findings revealed
that there were significant positive relationships between temper, impulsiveness and adventure with adolescents’
problem behaviours. A study conducted in 2010 by Archer, Ferna-Fuertes and Thanzami to examine the
correlation between self-control and physical aggression among Indian men revealed that those with high
self-control reported lower level of aggression.
Winstok (2009) conducted a study to examine the influence of different types of self-control (adolescents’
self-control, urge to control others) on different types of aggression (reactive and proactive aggression). The
findings of the study revealed that adolescents with high self-control possessed low level of reactive aggression
and adolescents with high level of the need to control others possessed high level of proactive aggression.
Denson, Capper, Oaten, Friese and Schofield (2011) conducted a study to examine whether a self-control
training session could help adolescents decrease their involvement in aggressive activities. The results revealed
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that adolescents who participated in the training session reported lower level of aggression compared to the other
participants who were not involved in the training.
2.2 Peer Delinquency and Aggression
According to Steketee (2012), high association with delinquent peers is significantly linked to problem
behaviour. The problem behaviours include aggressive behaviour, robbery, dishonesty, and crime (West &
Farrington, 1977). Peer delinquent influences aggression among adolescents can be explained through peer
pressure (Pardini, Loeber, & Stouthamer-Loeber, 2005; Eldeleklioglu, 2007; Padilla-Walker & Bean, 2009).
Phaik-Gaik, Maria Chong, Habibah and Jegak (2010) found that peer factor significantly influenced antisocial
behaviour of adolescents. This study utilized Hirschi’s Control Theory to explain how peer factor influences
adolescents’ antisocial behaviour. During the transition period, adolescents tend to seek social and emotional
supports from their peers. Thus, high association with delinquent peers encouraged adolescents to engage in
aggressive behaviour. They internalize the negative belief system and attitudes of delinquent peers.
A longitudinal study was conducted by Simons-Morton, Hartos and Haynie (2004) to examine the link between
peer delinquency and aggression among adolescents. The findings showed that Time 1 delinquent peers were
significantly correlated with Time 1 aggression. In addition, contact with delinquent peers at Time 1 was
associated with aggression at Time 2. The result also showed that peer delinquency at time 2 was linked with
aggression at Time 2. The findings indicated that association with delinquent peers significantly influence
adolescents’ aggression.
According to Platje, Vermeiren, Raine, Doreleijers, Keijsers, Branje, Popma, Van Lier, Koot, Meeus and Jansen
(2013), peer delinquency is significantly correlated with adolescents’ aggression. The result showed that both of
the rule-breaking and aggressive peers had significant correlations with adolescents’ aggression.
2.3 Peer Delinquency as a Mediator
Chapple (2005) examined the indirect effect of self-control on delinquency through the mediator of peer
delinquency. In this study, adolescents’ delinquency was measured by combining two components which were
violence and property crime. The result reported that adolescents’ self-control contributed to peer delinquency
affiliation. The study also found that low self-control and peer delinquency significantly contributed to
adolescents’ delinquency. In addition, the study also noted a partial mediation of peer delinquency on the
relationship between self-control and delinquency among adolescents. The study by Chapple (2005) utilized a
general theory of crime (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990) to explain how low self-control influences adolescents’
association with delinquent peers. This theory claims that children and adolescents with low self-control have
difficulties in building healthy friendships. Thus, they tend to find the similar peers with low self-control as their
companion.
A study conducted by McGloin and Shermer (2009) aimed to examine the relationships between self-control,
peer delinquency, and delinquency among adolescents. In this study, delinquent behaviour was measured by 13
deviant activities which include damage property, run away from home, weapon used and involved in group
fight. The findings showed that peer delinquency and self-control independently contributed to delinquency
among adolescents. In this study, low self-control was found to have impact on peer delinquency. In addition,
this study revealed an important finding that low self-control has indirect influence on adolescents’ delinquency
through peer delinquency.
Longshore, Chang, Hsieh and Messina (2004) found that adolescents’ peer selection was related to self-control,
and low self-control has indirect influence on adolescents’ deviant behaviour through the deviant peers. In the
study of Pulkkinen, Lyyra, and Kokko (2011), the findings showed that high self-control capability positively
influences adolescents’ social relationship and aggression. Moreover, the result showed that the relationship
between high self-control and aggression was partially mediated by positive social relationship. This may
indicate that people with high self-control tend to establish positive relationship with others and in turn, they
have less involvement in aggressive behaviour. People who have positive social bonding may be less involve in
negative behaviours as they do not want to disappoint others.
3. Methods
3.1 Design and the Subjects of the Study
Correlational research design was utilised in the present study. Structured questions and standardized
instruments were used to collect data. The subjects of this study were 413 school-going adolescents aged
between 13 and 17 years old in Selangor, Malaysia. The subjects consisted of 186 (45%) males and 227 (55%)
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females adolescents. Multistage cluster sampling technique was utilised in this study. This technique has several
steps. Step 1) State of Selangor was divided into three zones (North, Centre, and South). Each of these three
zones has few districts. 2) Only one district was randomly selected in each zone. The three selected districts were
Hulu Selangor, Petaling Utama, and Hulu Langat. 3) From the district, four secondary schools were randomly
selected from each district. 4) Only one form was selected from each school. 5) The last step was to randomly
select one class from one form. All of the students in the selected class participated in the present study.
3.2 Instrument
3.2.1 Aggression
Aggression among adolescents was measured by The Aggression Questionnaire developed by Buss and Perry
(1992). This questionnaire consists of four subscales with a total of 29 items, rated by a 5-point scale (1=strongly
disagree, 2=disagree, 3=somewhere agree and disagree, 4=agree, and 5=strongly agree). The four subscales are
physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. There were two reversed score items. Scores for
items were combined to represent aggression scores. The scale score ranged from 29 to 125. The high scores on
aggression questionnaire indicate high aggression among adolescents. In this study, the reliability of this
questionnaire was 0.87.
3.2.2 Low Self-Control
Self-control among adolescents was measured by Self-Control Scale which was developed by Grasmick, Tittle,
Bursik and Arneklev (1993). This scale has six components with a total of 24 items and rated with a 4-point
likert type scale (4=strongly agree, 3=agree somewhat, 2=disagree somewhat, 1=strongly disagree). The six
components are impulsivity, simple task, risk-seeking, physical activities, self-centered and temper. The score
for low self-control was calculated by summing up the scores for the 24 items. The total scale score ranged from
24 to 96. High scores reported on this scale indicate low level of self-control among adolescents. The Cronbach
alpha for this scale in the present study was 0.76.
3.2.3 Peer Delinquency
Peer delinquency was measured by Peer Delinquency Scale (PDS) developed by Loeber, Farrington,
Stouthamer-Loeber, and Van Kammen (1998). This scale comprised of two components which are delinquency
and substance abuse. The present study combined these two components to represent the general scale of peer
delinquency. The scale has 15 items and each item can be rated by a 5-point likert type scale (4=all of them,
3=most of them, 2=half of them, 1= few of them, 0=none of them). The score for peer delinquency was
calculated by summing up the scores for the 15 items. The total scale score ranged from 0 to 60. High scores on
peer delinquency indicate high affiliation with delinquent peers among adolescents. The reliability for PDS in
the present study was 0.88.
3.3 Data Analysis
SPSS version 16 was used to analyse data in this study. Descriptive statistic was conducted to analyse
respondents’ background information. Pearson correlation test was conducted to study the relationships between
low self-control, peer delinquency and aggression. A series of simple linear regression was used to test the
mediating role of peer delinquency on the relationship between low self-control and aggression.
4. Results
4.1 Personal Background of Respondents
Table 1 presents the personal background information of respondents which include gender, ethnic, and age.
There were 186 (45%) male and 227 (55%) female adolescents participated in this study. More than half (59.6%)
of the respondents were Malays, followed by Chinese (25.9%) and Indian (13.1%). The mean age of respondents
was 14.97 (S.D=1.04) and ranged from 13-17 years old.
4.2 Low Self-Control, Peer Delinquency and Aggression
Table 2 displays the correlational results for adolescents’ low self-control, peer delinquency and aggression. The
result showed that there was a significant positive relationship between low self-control (r= .530, p≤ .001) and
peer delinquency (r=.216, p≤ .001) with aggression. This indicated that adolescents with low self-control tend to
be more aggressive. Similarly, those who reported higher affiliation with delinquent peers had higher aggression
scores. The result also revealed that there was a significant positive relationship of low self-control with
adolescents’ peer delinquency (r=.229, p≤ .001). The finding implies that adolescents who possessed lower
self-control had higher affiliation with delinquent peers.
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4.3 Peer Delinquency as a Mediator
Multiple regression analysis was carried out to examine the effect of low self-control on aggression through the
mediator of peer delinquency. Then, Sobel test was conducted to confirm the mediating effect of peer
delinquency on the relationship. According to Baron and Kenny (1986), few steps must be established before
conducting the mediation analysis. The steps are (1) Independent variable (IV) has significant relationship with
dependent variable (DV), (2) IV has significantly relationship with mediator, (3) Mediator has significant
relationship with DV, (4) Both IV and mediator serves as predictors of the DV. These steps were clearly
displayed in Table 3.
Table 1. Personal background information of respondents
Variable n %
Gender
Male 186 45
Female 227 55
Ethnic
Malay 246 59.6
Chinese 107 25.9
Indian 54 13.1
Other 6 1.5
Age
13 12 2.9
14 190 46
15 9 2.2
16 201 48.7
17 1 0.2
Mean =14.97
S.D =1.04
Minimum =13
Maximum =17
Note: S.D = Standard Deviation
Multiple regression analysis showed that the low self-control (Beta= .530, SE=.078, t= 12.664, p≤ .001) and peer
delinquency (Beta = .120, SE=1.704, t= 2.830, p≤ .01) independently predicted aggression. Low self-control also
significantly predicted peer delinquency (Beta = .216, SE=.002, t= 4.478, p≤ .001) (Table 3). Step 4 showed that
the beta value for low self-control on aggression (c’) after controlling peer delinquency become weaker yet
remain significant (Beta = .504, SE=.079, t= 11.860, p≤ .001). This indicated that both of the low self-control
and peer delinquency predicted adolescents’ aggression. The result also implied that peer delinquency partially
mediated the relationship between low self-control and aggression.
There was 0.216*0.120 = 0.026 indirect size effect found in this mediation result. This implies that aggression is
expected to increase by 0.026 units for every one-unit increase in low self-control via peer delinquency. Sobel
test supported the partial mediation effect of peer delinquency on this relationship (z=2.462, p≤ .01).
Table 2. Relationships between low self-control, peer delinquency and aggression
r
Aggression Peer Delinquency
Low Self-Control .530*** .229***
Peer Delinquency .216***
Note. ***p≤ .001
5. Discussion and Conclusion
The finding of this study found that low self-control was significantly correlated with aggression among
adolescents. The finding is consistent with the previous studies (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990; Pratt & Cullen,
2000; Yarbrough, Jones, Sullivan, Sellers, & Cochran, 2012). According to Kemp, Vermulst, Finkenauer,
Scholte, Overbeek, Rommes, and Engels (2009), low self-control has consistent association with aggression
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among adolescents. This finding was supported by the self-control theory (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990). This is
because adolescents possess the characteristics (simple tasks preference, seek risky activity, prefer physical tasks,
and self-centred, impulsive) that prevent them from delaying immediate gratification. A high self-control
individual tends to have the strength of inhibition that prevents them from behaving aggressively (Denson, Wall,
& Finkel, 2012).
Table 3. Mediation analysis
Step IV DV B S.E Beta t
1 Low Self-Control Aggression 0.984 0.078 0.530*** 12.664
2 Low Self-Control Peer Delinquency 0.010 0.002 0.216*** 4.478
3 Peer Delinquency Aggression 9.178 1.925 0.229*** 4.767
4 Low Self-Control
Aggression 0.936 0.079 0.504*** 11.860
Peer Delinquency 4.820 1.704 0.120** 2.830
Note: B= Unstandardized coefficient; Beta= Standardized coefficient
**p≤ .01; ***p≤ .001
Figure 1. Mediation Model
Peer delinquency had significant correlation with aggression among adolescents. This finding is consistent with
the past study of Benson, Tech and Buehler (2012) which found that association with delinquent peer is linked to
aggression among adolescents. Association with delinquent peer might cause adolescents to value the negative
belief system and eventually involve in behaviour unacceptable by the society (Brechwald & Prinstein, 2011;
Brauer & Coster, 2015). According to the previous studies (Miller, 2010; Steinberg & Monahan, 2007; Regnerus,
2002), high peer delinquency will lead to aggressive behaviour because adolescents will act in similar ways to
their delinquent peer. These adolescents may experience peer pressure. Peer influence is characterized by the
effect of peer-adolescent socialization (Brechwald & Prinstein, 2011). This view is supported by the Bandura’s
social learning theory (1986) which suggests that adolescents adopt aggressive behaviours via modelling, social
reward and reinforcement from peers. The identity-based theories proposed that adolescents tend to have
affiliation with the delinquent peers who have high status. In the process of crystalizing their identity,
adolescents might learn to act in similar behaviour as the delinquent peers (Brechwald & Prinstein, 2011).
According to Baron (2003), the main cause of people’s negative problem and social relationship was due to low
self-control. The result of correlation analysis in the present study revealed that adolescents’ low self-control
significantly correlated with peer delinquency. This finding is supported by the past study conducted by Mc
Gloin and Shermer (2009) and Hay, Meldrum and Piquero (2013) which found that adolescents’ low self-control
significantly predicted their peer delinquency experiences. Adolescents with high self-control tend to select peers
with similar level of self-control and this friendship is more stable compared to those who adopted low level of
self-control (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990).
Self-control theory proposed that the main contributor of people negative behaviour was low self-control.
However, other researchers argued that peer factor has similar influence as self-control to the people’s negative
behaviour (McGloin & Shermer, 2009). In the study of McGloin and Shermer (2009), it was found that
self-control and peer delinquency predicted respondents’ delinquency which included aggression activities.
Besides, it also revealed that self-control has indirect influence on delinquency through peer delinquency. This
indicated that adolescents with low self-control tend to have higher association with delinquent peers and in turn
adopted delinquent behaviour. This finding is also supported by Boman and Gibson (2011). The study of
Chapple (2015) found that peer delinquency was a partial mediator between self-control and delinquency.
Adolescents who are less able to control themselves will choose the similar peer groups.
.530***
(
.504***
)
Peer
Delinquency
Low Self-Control Aggression
.216*** .120**
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The findings of this study demonstrate that low self-control and peer influence are correlated with aggression
among adolescents. A conclusion can be made that peer delinquency serves as a mediating variable in explaining
how low self-control influence on aggression among adolescents. As discussed earlier, aggression may bring
negative consequences on adolescents’ various aspects of development. Therefore, the understanding of parents,
teachers and community on the causes of aggression become important as it helps to prevent adolescents from
engaging in aggressive behaviour. In school, teachers can assist adolescents to identify aggressive behaviour and
peer delinquency. Since self-control is treated as a vital factor in adolescents’ aggression, school authority is
advised to provide better school environment in order to enhance the self-control ability among adolescents. In
sum, aggression is treated as a social problem. Therefore, the effective prevention and intervention programme
for adolescents’ aggression such as counselling, workshops, seminars, and conferences may be implemented to
reduce the possibility of adolescents to involve in aggression activities. These prevention and intervention
programmes help adolescents to improve their coping skill while facing negative conditions. Besides, the
capability of adolescents to regulate their negative emotions and affection will be strengthened and thus prevent
them from engaging in aggressive behaviour.
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