Application Of General Strain Theory Research Articles

Intimate Partner Violence and Suicidality: Applicability of General Strain Theory to Women in Trinidad and Tobago.

Suicide among women is a growing problem in Trinidad and Tobago. Despite efforts to reduce suicide, the etiology of suicidal behaviors in this region has rarely been examined. Using the National Women's Health Survey for Trinidad and Tobago in 2018 (n = 1,079), this study examined the causes of suicidality through concepts contained in Agnew's general strain theory, such as negative stimuli (i.e., intimate partner violence [IPV]) and negative emotion (i.e., depression). By estimating structural equation models, this study found that IPV was strongly related to depression and suicidality. Particularly, depression mediated the effect of IPV on suicidality.

Strain, depression, and deviant behavior among left-behind and non-left-behind adolescents in China

China’s massive rural to urban migration has created a vast number of left-behind children (LBC) whose parents moved to cities for work. Drawing upon data from LBC and non-left-behind children (NLBC) in three Chinese cities, this study tests the applicability of general strain theory in explaining deviant behavior among adolescents. The analysis results show that LBC status is directly related to lower involvement in deviant behavior, whereas it is also directly linked to academic difficulty and depression, leading to more deviant acts. Compared with NLBC, LBC have an overall lower risk of deviance. Male and middle school students and students experiencing parental abuse and family poverty are more inclined to express greater depression, subsequently promoting higher participation in deviance.

다문화청소년의 비행유형별 예측요인: 긴장이론, 사회유대이론 및 사회학습이론의 적용

다문화청소년의 수가 지속적으로 증가 추세에 있지만 이들은 사회적 관심에서 상대적으로 소외되어 왔다. 한국 사회에서 다문화청소년들이 겪는 어려움은 비행 행동으로 표출될 가능성이 있음에도, 특히 이들의 비행 행동에 대한 이론적 고찰과 비행유형별 접근이 수반된 연구가 부족한 실정이다. 이에 본 연구는 일반긴장이론, 사회유대이론, 사회학습이론을 바탕으로 이론에서 제시하는 비행 요인들이 다문화청소년의 지위비행과 중비행에 끼치는 영향을 살펴보고자 하였다. 본 연구에서는 한국청소년정책연구원에서 실시한 다문화청소년패널 4차년도 자료인 중학교 1학년 학생 1,360명의 데이터를 대상으로 로지스틱 회귀분석을 실시하여 이론적 예측요인과 유형별 관계를 예측하고자 하였다. 본 연구의 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 지위비행의 경우 긴장요인, 사회유대요인, 사회학습 요인 모두가 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 중비행의 경우에는 사회유대요인 및 사회학습요인이 유의한 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 이와 같은 결과를 바탕으로 비행의 유형에 따라 영향을 주는 이론적 요인이 다르다는 점을 고려하여 향후 다문화청소년 비행 예방을 위한 개입 방안은 비행유형과 이론적 요인에 따라 차별적으로 마련되어야 할 필요성을 강조하고자 한다.

Cyberbullying perpetration in the COVID-19 era: An application of general strain theory

ABSTRACT The world is currently grappling with the medical, psychological, economic, and behavioral consequences of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The existing research has rightly been focused on the medical contributions – treatment, symptoms, prevalence, etc. – which are paramount. A paucity of research has tested the psychological and behavioral consequences of COVID-19. In two cross-sectional studies of US adults, we posited that personal (e.g., being diagnosed with COVID-19) and proximal (e.g., knowing people with COVID-19) experiences with COVID-19 would be related to cyberbullying perpetration due to an increase in stress. Using path modeling, results showed that (a) personal and proximal COVID-19 experiences positively correlated with cyberbullying (Studies 1 and 2) and (b) personal COVID-19 experiences were indirectly related to cyberbullying through stress, but not proximal experiences (Study 2).

Social big data analysis of future signals for bullying in South Korea: Application of general strain theory

The utilization of traditional social survey data to address today’s bullying problems presents some limitations. In response, a new method to investigate and subsequently intervene is warranted. Therefore, this study analyzed big data generated by social media to identify Future Signals of bullying. This approach may contribute to effectively clarifying the problem and suggesting targeted interventions to address the bullying phenomenon in South Korea. For social big data analysis, 350,314 web documents were collected per hour each day from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2017, from 279 subject channels based on an ontology of bullying-related topics. Term frequency, document frequency, degree of visibility, and degree of diffusion were computed to identify Future Signals. A substantial overlap of findings between studies based on social big data and traditional survey results was observed for family (e.g., parental divorce, domestic violence, child abuse), peer (e.g., transfer, friend violence), economic (e.g., economic problem), and school/academic (e.g., academic record, school control, academic stress) strain domains, whereas strains concerning the media (e. g., movie, celebrity) and cultural (e.g., materialism, hell Korea) domains seemed to be more salient in social big data. Weak Signal topics in social big data representing media and cultural strain domains (e.g., Youtube, class society, bullying culture) related to the bullying phenomenon appear to be emerging in significance. These topics and their respective strain domains represent potentially important new areas that warrant further investigation by practitioners and policymakers. These findings may allow the early detection of crucial information by providing data to support better informed insight and intervention related to the complex problem of bullying in South Korea.

Depression as a Mediator between Negative Interpersonal Relationship and Suicidal Ideation among Korean Adolescents

South Korea has one of the highest global suicide rates. In spite of the notorious ranking of suicide rate across the world, analyses of the cause of suicide have been rare in South Korea. Using a Korean survey in 2010 with 399 samples aged 12 to 21, this study conducted structural equation modeling to apply Agnew’s general strain theory to suicidal ideation of adolescents. This study supported the theory’s assumption that negative interpersonal relationship increased suicidal ideation, with mediation effect of depression level. On the other hand, some findings in this study should be questionable. More specifically, negative relationship with friends decreased adolescents’ suicidal ideation. Eventually, however, it increased their suicidal ideation through swelling depression level. In sum, results of this study could help guide to explain the cause of suicidal ideation by interpersonal relationship. In particular, they showed the applicability of general strain theory in South Korea.

Prison Strains, Negative Emotions, and Deviance Among Prisoners in South Korea: A Latent-Variable Modeling Test of General Strain Theory.

This article examines the applicability of general strain theory to correctional samples by testing whether prison strains are positively related to deviance among prisoners through strain-associated negative emotions and whether the negative emotions-deviance relationship is systematic in terms of inner versus outer directedness. Latent-variable structural equation modeling was applied to analyze survey data from 986 male prisoners in South Korea. First, an inmate's dissatisfaction with correctional officers was found to be positively related to anger and fear of victimization, whereas in-prison victimization was related only to the fear. Second, outer-directed emotion (anger) was positively related to outer-directed deviance (aggressive and property misconduct and anticipated reoffending) but not to inner-directed deviance (self-injury/suicide attempt). On the contrary, inner-directed emotion (fear) was related positively to the inner-directed deviance but inversely to property misconduct. Finally, some of the indirect relationships of victimization and dissatisfaction with deviance via negative emotions were found to be significant.

Bullying victimization and delinquent involvement: An application of general strain theory

Bullying victimization is linked to numerous undesirable outcomes which are likely to affect victims over the life course. The current study incorporates data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1997) and draws from Agnew’s General Strain Theory to estimate the effects of bullying victimization on depressive symptoms and delinquency. Results suggest repeated bullying victimization increases depressive symptoms in adolescence for both males and females (ages 12–16). The results also indicate that it is problematic to assess delinquent outcomes for bullying victimization independent of mediating mental health factors, namely depressive symptoms. Additionally, depressive symptoms mediate the bullying victimization and delinquent relationship for females but not males. A discussion pertaining to relevant policy implications and future research investigating the delinquent outcomes of bullying victimization is provided.

Victimization, fear of crime, procedural injustice and inmate misconduct: An application of general strain theory in South Korea

PurposeWhile a wealth of research on Agnew's general strain theory has shown that strains can promote the likelihood of crime and deviant behavior, the application of general strain theory towards a prison setting remains understudied. This study aims to expand the knowledge base for our understanding of the roles that unique strains play within prisons that may pressure inmates to engage in inmate misconduct. MethodsDrawing on data from a sample of South Korean inmates, the present paper examines the impact of prison-based strains on violent and nonviolent misconduct. ResultsFindings suggest that experienced strain (i.e., violent criminal victimization), anticipated strain (i.e., fear of crime), and perceived procedural injustice adversely affected inmate misconduct; however, the magnitude of the effects varied across different types of inmate misconduct. ConclusionsPrevention/intervention efforts to diminish strains that inmates encounter in institutional corrections are necessary to decrease inmate misconduct.

Child Abuse Victimization, Depression, and Substance Use Among Homeless Women: Application of General Strain Theory.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the association between child abuse and substance use among homeless women based on a framework of General Strain Theory, which emphasizes the strong relationship between deviant behaviors and personally experienced strain. In this study, as the strain associated with substance use, child abuse experience in the past was assessed. This research tested three hypotheses about (a) the association between physical and sexual abuse during childhood and substance use (heavy drinking, marijuana use, and crack cocaine use), (b) the mediating effect of depressive symptoms, and (c) the moderating effect of positive social supports on the relationship between abuse during childhood and substance use with a survey and interview data of a randomly selected sample of 445 homeless women in a temporary shelter setting in Los Angeles County between June 2007 and March 2008. Although the results indicated that abuse during childhood was not significantly associated with any form of substance use, the results of multivariate analyses indicated that depressive symptoms fully mediated the four relationships (p < .01; physical abuse and heavy drinking, physical abuse and crack cocaine use, sexual abuse and heavy drinking, and sexual abuse and crack cocaine use). The results of this study also indicated that positive social supports significantly moderate the effect of physical (p < .01) and sexual (p < .05) abuse experience on heavy drinking, which implies that positive social supports would be significant to reduce substance use among homeless women who had a history of physical and sexual abuse during childhood.

The Effect of Strain, Affect, and Personal/Social Resources on Problem Substance Use among Incarcerated and Non-Incarcerated Youth

ABSTRACT We explore the applicability of General Strain Theory to juvenile substance use. In doing so, we offer three advances over prior work. First, we put forward the concept of “problem substance use” to move beyond frequency-based and more medicalized conceptions of the phenomenon toward a conceptualization that views substance use as problematic when it disrupts social relationships and expectations and when it reflects a loss of self-control. Second, we employ a dataset that permits us to explore how strains originating in different life domains influence problem substance use as well as how negative emotions and personal coping resources mediate the relationship between strain and problem substance use. Third, we move beyond prior work by comparing how strain and strain mediators operate differently in schools, alternative learning centers, and juvenile correctional facilities. We find strong effects of the strain variables and strain mediators indicated by General Strain Theory and evidence that alternative learning centers and juvenile correction facilities are associated with especially high odds of problem substance use even when strain and other variables are controlled. We conclude by discussing the limitations of current work and the implications for next steps in the strain-substance use research literature.

Anger as a Mediator Between Peer Victimization and Deviant Behavior in South Korea: A Cross-Cultural Application of General Strain Theory

Little is known about the longitudinal effect of peer victimization on deviant behavior in non-Western cultural contexts and the mediating role of theoretically relevant variables, such as anger, on this association. The current study aimed to address this gap by analyzing data from a nationally representative sample of South Korean youth. Peer victimization was found to increase risk for anger and deviant behavior. Anger accounted for 27.06% of the total direct effect of peer victimization experienced during late childhood on deviant behavior during early adolescence. Results from the current study provide support for the cross-cultural application of general strain theory to help explain the longitudinal link between peer victimization and deviant behavior in a non-Western context such as South Korea.

How do Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimization Affect Fear and Coping among Students? An Application of General Strain Theory

School bullying victimization represents an important type of strain (or stressful event) experienced by individuals because it usually occurs frequently, over a long period of time, and is an intentional violation against another person. The current study utilizes the 2009 School Crime Supplement (SCS) of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to assess the effect of bullying victimization on avoidance behaviors and carrying weapons to school. This study also examines how bullying victimization affects fear and whether this emotion mediates the relationship between victimization and outcomes. As expected, traditional bullying and cyberbullying increase the likelihood of fear. In addition, traditional bullying and cyberbullying victimization increase the likelihood of avoidance behaviors and bringing a weapon to school. Contrary to expectations, fear did not mediate the relationship between bullying and coping behaviors.

Suicide Ideation among Adolescent American Indians: An Application of General Strain Theory

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study is to compare suicidal thoughts among American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) to a series of non-AI/AN comparison groups, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. This study uses general strain theory as the guiding framework for understanding differences between racial groups in their suicidal ideation. A statistically significant difference is present between AI/AN and comparisons in suicidal ideation. The factors that may explain these differences addressed in this study include: alcohol abuse, exposure to suicidal behavior of friends and family, depression, and gun access. Implications for prevention and treatment are discussed.

School truancy among Turkish high school students: A test of General Strain Theory

School absenteeism is a complicated problem with a variety of causes. It has been shown to be one of the main predictors of school drop-outs as well as leading to delinquency and criminal behavior in adulthood. This study examines the applicability of General Strain Theory on educational factors by considering truancy as a risk behavior. In this empirical study, we test the explanatory powers of certain kinds of strain, including school strain, economic deprivation, negative life events, anger, college plans, past victimization, and depression on students’ truancy. Data were drawn from the part of 2008 Youth in Europe Survey conducted in Istanbul in 2008. The sample consists of 2445 high school students. Results indicate that school strain, anger, and negative life events are significantly associated with likelihood of truancy while past victimization and economic strain have no effect. College goal and depression, on the other hand, have relatively weaker effects on students’ school absenteeism. Findings revealed that there is a relationship between cutting classes and certain kinds of strain among Turkish adolescents. The study also demonstrates that General Strain Theory is applicable for problematic behaviors in an educational context and generalizable to countries other than the U.S.

Homeless youth, strain, and justice system involvement: An application of general strain theory

Using Agnew's (2006) general strain theory as a guide, we seek to identify some of the key events and experiences that place homeless youth at high risk of justice system involvement. By expanding and elaborating on the particular types of strains and stressors that are relevant to homeless youth, we identify several key (and understudied) strains that may help to account for their high risk of justice system involvement and that may also place them at risk of persistent homelessness. These strains include experiences of polyvictimization, experiences of discrimination and violent victimization that result from an LGBT identity, and a variety of failures and setbacks associated with multiple system involvement. The implications of this work for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.

Does the offline bully-victimization influence cyberbullying behavior among youths? Application of General Strain Theory

The current study attempts to examine the relationship between traditional bullyvictimization and cyberbullying behavior based on General Strain Theory perspectives. Offline bullyvictimization can create negative emotional strains. This negative strain combined with the anonymity in cyber space may lead youths to be engaged in cyberbullying behavior as the externalized response to the strain. Using longitudinal Korean National Youth Survey data, this study empirically tested the above theoretical explanation. First, this study found the declining trend of cyberbullying engagement among Korean youths. Secondly, consistent with GST, offline bully-victimization was significantly related to the cyberbullying engagement. Youths who were victims of traditional bullying showed a higher tendency of becoming cyberbullying assaulters with externalizing their strain in cyberspace.

Does prison strain lead to prison misbehavior? An application of general strain theory to inmate misconduct

PurposeThis paper applies macro-micro General Strain Theory (GST) to predict prisoner misconduct. It is hypothesized that prison-based strain will adversely affect inmates and increase their misconduct. MethodsData from a large southern state are used to examine how environmental strain measured at the prison level influence inmates’ violent misconduct. Analyses will include a group-based trajectory model on monthly counts of violent misconduct for the first three years of incarceration and assess whether the strain of the environment (using a latent measure of prison deprivation as a proxy for environmental strain) distinguishes between trajectories. The analysis will employ finite multilevel mixture modeling with environmental strain as both a within- and between-class predictor, but at the prison level. ResultsFindings suggest that prison strain is positively associated with prison misconduct; however, the magnitude of the effect varies across distinct inmate trajectories. ConclusionsTheoretical and practical implications are highlighted as are directions for future research.

Direct and Vicarious Violent Victimization and Juvenile Delinquency: An Application of General Strain Theory*

Using a national probability sample of adolescents (12–17), this study applies general strain theory to how violent victimization, vicarious violent victimization, and dual violent victimization affect juvenile violent/property crime and drug use. In addition, the mediating effect and moderating effect of depression, low social control, and delinquent peer association on the victimization–delinquency relationship is also examined. Based on SEM analyses and contingency tables, the results indicate that all three types of violent victimization have significant and positive direct effects on violent/property crime and drug use. In addition, the expected mediating effects and moderating effects are also found. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Physical health and crime among low-income urban women: An application of general strain theory

Purpose Although studies of General Strain Theory (GST) typically include measures of physical health in multi-item indices of strain, no work has investigated the independent influence of physical health on criminal offending. The current research explores the relationship between physical health and criminal offending among low-income women living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Methods Using data from the Welfare, Children, and Families (WCF) project, criminal behavior is predicted over two years with measures of physical health, depression, anxiety, competing strain, and relevant background factors. Results Poorer physical health at baseline and declines in physical health increase the odds of offending onset among previous non-offenders and reduce the odds of decreased offending among previous offenders. In offending onset models, higher levels of anxiety and depression at baseline and increases in these symptoms partially mediate the effect of poorer baseline health and fully mediate the effect of the loss of physical health. In decreased offending models, increases in anxiety and depression fully mediate the effect of poorer baseline health and partially mediate the effect of the loss of physical health. Conclusions The data suggest that poor health and declines in physical health influence both offending onset and offending escalation directly and indirectly through increases in anxiety and depression.