Impulsive and callous traits are more strongly associated with delinquent behavior in higher risk neighborhoods among boys and girls.
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.
Meier
Madeline H
MH
Department of Psychological Sciences and Midwest Alcoholism Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. mah4zc@mizzou.edu
Slutske
Wendy S
WS
Arndt
Stephan
S
Cadoret
Remi J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007484:Iowa; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population