The longitudinal associations between motivation, self-regulatory capacities, and future-oriented cognition and behavior among serious young offenders.

Abstract

Objectives: The present study examined how changes in a set of motivational/self-regulatory factors were associated with subsequent change in future-oriented cognition and behavior. Hypotheses: We hypothesized that within-individual changes in aspirations, expectations, emotion regulation, resistance to peer influence, and impulse control would be positively associated with later change in future-oriented cognition and behavior. We also predicted that between-individual effects would be larger in magnitude than within-individual effects. Method: Serious young offenders (N = 1,318; M age = 16.04; 86% male) were followed over a 7-year period from adolescence to young adulthood during the Pathways to Desistance study. The analytical strategy incorporated both fixed and hybrid effects regression models to assess the time-ordered correlates of future-oriented cognition and behavior. Results: Net of controls, within-individual changes in aspirations and expectations about the future, emotion regulation, and impulse control had statistically significant, positive associations with subsequent change in future-oriented cognition and behavior; however, between-person effects were much larger in magnitude than within-individual effects. Conclusions: Motivation and aspects of self-regulation are potentially important targets for correctional treatment and prevention efforts. Future orientation is an intermediate treatment mechanism worthy of further study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)Public Significance Statement—Teaching young offenders to control their impulses and emotions may be associated with subsequent increases in their consideration of and planning for the future. Prior research indicates that developing such an orientation to the future corresponds with reductions in antisocial behavior. Future research should also investigate the developmental origins of future orientation from a young age. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)