Identifying Patterns of Delinquent Trajectories and Testing Stability of Self-Control Over Time among South Korean Youth using Multivariate Latent Growth Curve Modeling

The South Korean yearly national report revealed that since 2006 there has been a steady increase in juvenile crimes (Seoul Police Department, 2009). In addition, the report demonstrated that South Korean juveniles\u27 age of onset in delinquent activity has been continuously decreasing. In South Korea, the age-crime curve sharply peaks at age 16, holds constant until 19, and then begins to decline. Thus, this peak within the age-crime curve has been a frequently research topic. This has resulted in some empirical support demonstrating that the age in which criminal involvement peaks is considered the most dynamic period in an individuals\u27 life-course (Wiesner & Windle, 2004). Thus, juveniles are most susceptible to criminality when they are experiencing the most physical, emotional, and academic changes. With such a lack of stability, juveniles may seek control through other means; thus committing deviant acts