Stability of Low Self-Control From Kindergarten Through First Grade

Following Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime (GTC) this study used structural equation models (SEM) that revealed that self-control is a highly stable trait in early childhood. A series of SEMs from kindergarten through the first grade revealed that self-control is relatively stable during this period of development. Study data was derived from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study which included a sample of 17,212 kindergarten students. The first SEM, examining the stability of self-control from the fall session of kindergarten through the spring session of kindergarten, revealed a stability coefficient of .96. The second analysis, extended to cover a one year time frame by using data collected in the spring session of kindergarten through the spring session of first grade, revealed a stability coefficient of .88. The final analysis, from the fall session of kindergarten through the spring session of first grade, revealed a stability coefficient of .84. Figures, notes, references