Substance Use, Personality, and Inhibitors: Testing Hirschi's Predictions About the Reconceptualization of Self-Control

Abstract

Hirschi argues that self-control has not been properly measured or conceptualized in previous research. He insists that personality-based notions of selfcontrol should be replaced with inhibitors/social bonds as the key construct, which in turn influence whether an individual considers the full range of costs associated with an antisocial behavior. This analysis supplements a small literature exploring this new conceptualization of self-control, specifically by examining substance use. The findings indicate that inhibitors/bonds do exert an effect on substance use but are not mediated by perceived costs. Furthermore, different variants of impulsivity continue to exert independent influences, with some mediated by perceived costs. Finally, perceived rewards not only influenced substance use directly but were also the most consistent mediator of inhibitors/bonds and impulsivity.