Much attention has been paid in both criminology and psychology to the importance of self-control in regulating individual’s antisocial, delinquent or criminal behaviour. Many programs have also been introduced to improve self-control. But how well do they work? What does the research tell us?

The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) has initiated the publication of a series of systematic reviews, in the context of which internationally renowned researchers are commissioned to perform studies. In this study the authors have carried out a systematic review, including meta-analysis, of 34 high quality evaluations.