Longitudinal Impact of Perceived Self-Regulatory Efficacy on Violent Conduct

The present study examined the longitudinal impact of perceived self-regulatory efficacy and parental communication on violent conduct. Adolescents' perceived efficacy to resist peer pressure for transgressive activities counteracted engagement in violent conduct both directly and by fostering open communication with parents. Parental communication was linked to violent conduct concurrently but not longitudinally. There were gender differences in level of engagement in violent activities, but the causal structures were the same. Perceived self-regulatory efficacy contributed to violent conduct both concurrently and longitudinally after controlling for prior level of violent conduct and openness of parental communication.