NCJ Number
173660
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: June 1998 Pages: 255-274
Date Published
1998
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the moderating effect of impulsivity on the relation between anger and adolescent problem behavior (substance use and delinquency) using data obtained from students at two high schools in a southwestern metropolitan area.
Abstract
The study sample included 371 high school seniors, 164 males and 207 females, and the study was presented as an investigation of various student attitudes, opinions, and behaviors. Adolescent substance use was measured using nine items adapted from the Monitoring the Future Study, while adolescent delinquency was measured using nine items from the National Youth Survey Delinquency Scale. Anger and impulsivity were assessed with the Negative Temperament and Disinhibition scales, respectively, from the General Temperament Survey. Results showed high levels of anger were associated with delinquency for impulsive but not for nonimpulsive adolescents in cross-sectional analyses. This moderating effect was not supported for substance use. Gender- moderated links between temperament and problem behavior showed anger predicted substance use for females only and impulsivity was more strongly associated with delinquency for males. In prospective analyses, both anger and impulsivity predicted adolescent problem behavior but impulsivity did not moderate the effect of anger. Overall, results provided partial support for the notion that temperament dimensions operated interactively to promote poor adjustment. 41 references, 3 tables, and 3 figures