Low Self-Control and Its Relationship to Deviant Behavior Among Incarcerated Women in Jordan
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Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between low self-control and deviant behavior among incarcerated women, focusing on negative emotions, fear of victimization, exposure to violence, and demographic factors. Using a descriptive–analytical design, data were collected from 67 female inmates at the Juwaida Correctional and Rehabilitation Institution through a structured questionnaire and were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis in SPSS. The findings revealed statistically significant associations between deviant behaviors and negative emotional states, particularly guilt, fear, frustration, and anger. Low self-control traits, including impulsivity, egocentrism, and short-term orientation, were associated with various forms of deviance and exposure to violence. Demographic variables, especially age and education, were also associated with differences in self-control patterns. Fear of victimization and domestic violence emerged as significant correlates of women’s deviant behavior. The study advances criminological research by empirically applying self-control theory to the understudied population of incarcerated women in the Arab context, offering evidence-based insights for rehabilitation and preventive programs.
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