Comparison of self-control and metacognition components in normal minors and juvenile delinquents at correction and rehabilitation centers

Self-control and cognition are among the factors involved in the tendency toward delinquency. The aim of this study was to compare self-control and metacognition components in normal minors and juvenile delinquents at correction and rehabilitation centers. This was a causal-comparative descriptive study. The statistical sample included 70 juvenile delinquents (55 boys and 15 girls), selected via convenience sampling. The boys were at the correction and rehabilitation center of Tabriz and the girls were referred to the detention center of morality police by the intelligence department of police in Tabriz. The normal minors included 70 high-school students (55 boys and 15 girls) who were matched with the case group in terms of age, sex, and education. Data collection tools included Tangney’s self-control scale and metacognition scale. Results showed that there were significant differences in the self-control variables between juvenile offenders and normal minors. Moreover, there were significant differences in the metacognition components between the juvenile offenders and normal minors. This means that juvenile offenders had low self-control and metacognition. Adoption of socially accepted behaviors is strictly related to self-control and metacognition. Adolescents with low self-control ability and impaired metacognition are less adaptive to social norm