The Interplay of Self-Control and Peer Influence in Filipino Delinquency

Abstract

Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) argued that self-control is the individual level cause of crime and delinquency and that it will render the relationship between differential association and delinquency spurious. Contrary to these claims, previous research reveals that self-control cannot diminish the effects of differential association on delinquency as both have comparable effects and are even found complementary. These issues, however, are still unexamined in the Philippines. Thus, this study explores the relationships of self-control, differential association, and delinquency in a sample of Filipino college students in Dumaguete City, Philippines. Results reveal that self-control and differential association have direct effects on delinquency, but self-control does not render differential association-delinquency relationship spurious. In fact, differential association mediates the effects of self-control on delinquency. These results suggest that self-control and differential association are complementary, thus indicating that integration of these concepts might be a better way of modeling Filipino delinquency.