Behavioral Characteristics of Low Self-Control among Generation-Z: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Low self-control has long been recognized as a central explanatory factor in criminological theories of deviant and criminal behavior. In contemporary societies, the emergence of Generation-Z as a digitally immersed and socially dynamic cohort raises new questions about how self-control operates in shaping youth behavior. This study explores the behavioral characteristics associated with low self-control among Generation-Z using qualitative in-depth interviews with young participants aged 16 to 25 years. Drawing on Self-Control Theory, Strain Theory and Social Learning Theory, the study identifies core behavioral patterns linked to low self-control, including impulsive decision-making, emotional dysregulation, preference for immediate gratification, weak moral restraint and heightened susceptibility to situational and peer influences. The findings reveal that low self-control manifests not only through overt deviant acts but also through everyday behavioral tendencies that increase vulnerability to criminal involvement. The study highlights the importance of early identification of self-control deficits and the need for psychologically informed prevention strategies tailored to the unique digital and social contexts of Generation-Z.

Keywords: Low self-control, Generation-Z, impulsivity, behavioral characteristics, youth crime, qualitative study

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18418677