Illicit sexual behaviors: A test of self-control theory.

Abstract

This study proposes a test of self-control theory using illicit sexual behaviors. Specifically this research tests the correlation of illicit sexual behaviors with crime/delinquency as they relate to measures of self-control, and opportunity. This research explores both the possibility of an interaction between self-control and opportunity as well as examines the concept of a displacement effect between crime/delinquency and illicit sexual behaviors. In addition, the relationship between crime/delinquency and illicit sexual behaviors with self-control, opportunity, age, gender and race are analyzed.

Data for this project were gathered in two survey periods conducted during the 1999--2000 academic year. Data used to test the theory as discussed above are drawn from a survey of 708 college students, age 18 and above, attending three southwestern universities, one rural, one commuter, and one Carnegie I research institution. Participation in the survey was voluntary.

These analyses report illicit sexual behaviors are positively correlated with criminal/delinquent behaviors providing support for self-control theory. No displacement effect was found to exist further supporting self-control theory. However, for the interaction term of self-control and opportunity results are mixed in their support for the General Theory. Finally, when crime/delinquency and illicit sexual behaviors are regressed by race on self-control and opportunity there is a failure of self-control theory to account for the findings.