The Gendered Expressions of Self-Control: Manifestations of Noncriminal Deviance Among Females

Abstract

The present study explores the relationships between Gottfredson and Hirschi's (1990) concept of low self-control and two forms of deviance more common among females than males, borderline personality characteristics and eating disorders. Ordinary least squares regression models revealed that self-control was significantly associated with both borderline personality characteristics and eating disorder symptoms among a sample of 161 female undergraduates. The findings of the present study highlight the potential utility in expanding our focus of the effects of low self-control beyond traditional analogous behaviors, especially when attempting to understand female behavior.