Using Hirschi’s Reconceptualization of Self-Control to Explain Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Victimization Via Attitudinal Self-Control

Abstract

Almost two decades ago, Hirschi redefined self-control as the ability to think about the full range of potential costs of a particular behavior. While a small but growing number of studies have examined the ability of this new self-control to explain various forms of criminal behavior, no study to date has determined if this reconceptualization of self-control influences the original version of self-control. Using the United States subsample of the International Dating Violence Study ( n = 4,162), this article examined whether social bond influenced self-control and whether that connection predicted IPV perpetration and victimization. Results indicated that high social bond/self-control is associated with higher self-control. Social bond/self-control and self-control are negatively associated with IPV perpetration, while only self-control was negatively related to IPV victimization. The study’s limitations and ideas for future research are discussed.