| To investigate the role of self-regulation in the positive development of young adolescents, the present report uses data from Grades 5, 6, and 7 of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD) to examine the psychometric characteristics of an index of self-regulation, the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) measure, and to assess the relationship between SOC and indices of positive and negative development among seventh graders. Consistent with previous work by Gestsdottir and Lerner (in press), the assessment of reliability and the results of confirmatory factor analyses of SOC scores suggested the use of a global, nine-item SOC index. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that statistically significant but substantively minor changes in SOC scores existed across the three grades; these findings support the use of the Grade 5 SOC scores as predictors of subsequent development. Accordingly, Grade 5 SOC scores positively predicted Grade 7 scores on the Five Cs of PYD (i.e., competence, confidence, character, connection, and caring) and negatively predicted Grade 7 depression, delinquency, and risk behaviors. No gender effects were found in regard to changes in SOC scores. Implications for future research and for the developmental course of intentional self-regulation in adolescence are discussed. |
