Self-Control and PerCeived Behavioral Control: an examination of College Student drinking

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control theory (1990) has been demonstrated to be a valid predictor of behaviors analogous to crime, such as alcohol use. However, research has also supported the contention that an individual’s level of self-control is difficult to change due to its relative stability over time. For this reason, the present study examines the research question: does perceived behavioral control moderate the link that self-control has with alcohol consumption, or is the link additive? PBC can be changed and can be the focus of policy. Using a nonrandom prospective sample of college students, this study found evidence that there is an additive effect rather than a moderating effect between self-control and perceived behavioral control on alcohol use. Policy implications are discussed.