Deviant Outcomes Research Articles

A hybrid predictive modeling approach for catalyzed polymerization reactors

Polymerization reactions are characterized by complex, nonlinear behaviors that pose significant challenges for conventional modeling techniques. Accurate and reliable models are crucial for advancing material science and enabling technological innovations across various industries. Conventional first-principles models often fall short in capturing the intricate dynamics of polymeric systems, leading to limitations in predictive accuracy. In this work, we propose a novel hybrid modeling approach that combines a conventional first-principles model with the strengths of a data-driven multi-layer perceptron (MLP) model and also a linear regression (LR) model to enhance the predictability of polymerization processes. Utilizing this hybrid approach significantly reduces the mean absolute error for predicting the concentrations of main reagents by 84% and 86%, respectively, in experiments with significantly deviant outcomes. Our results indicate that the model is capable of predicting the concentrations of both the main and side products with a maximum error margin of 3.5%.

The unintended consequence of school suspension: How school suspension impacted future grades and misconduct

The goals of this study were to explore the mechanism via which school suspension leads to adverse academic and behavioral consequences. The author utilized the theoretical framework of general strain theory and assessed whether bonds with school, a prosocial bond preventing deviant outcomes, functioned as a mediator in the path between school suspension and students’ future performance. Based on four waves of longitudinal data of at-risk youth, the study employed structural equation modeling and bootstrapping methods to examine the nexus of suspension, perceived school environment, and adverse academic and behavioral outcomes. Findings revealed that school suspension deteriorated subsequent ratings of school environment among youth respondents. Further, an indirect effect between suspension and worsening of grades was observed and this indirect effect resulted in low ratings of school environment. Although suspension directly predicted future misconduct, no mediation effect of school environment was identified in this link. Implications for intervention programming are discussed.

Cyberbullying perpetration during the Covid-19 pandemic: A study on the relationship between strain, angerand parental support

ABSTRACT The pandemic compelled more exposure to online media in different forms like online education, interactions, gaming, and collaboration, which aggravated the cyberbullying issue. Cyberbullying can now occur in several different mediums due to the renewed lifestyle challenges spawned by the pandemic. Hence, it is imperative to assess the antecedents of cyberbullying behaviour (CBB). General Strain Theory (GST) is taken as a grounded theory to understand the underlying mechanisms of strain and anger and their impact on deviant outcomes like CBB. The current study adds to the GST literature by investigating the association between stress and anger, leading to cyberbullying behaviour. The study also examines the extent to which parenting factors (monitoring, communication, and trust) moderate adolescents’ involvement in cyberbullying. An online survey was used to collect data from 221 high school Indian students for this purpose. As per the results, there is a direct relationship between strain, anger, and cyberbullying. The study confirms an indirect relationship between strain and cyberbullying through anger. The findings suggest that parental influences are important in moderating the relationship between strain and anger in adolescent cyberbullying behaviour. The study recommends strategies for parents, educators, and healthcare providers when dealing with cyberbullying behaviour.

Deviant Affordances: When Tensions, Deadlocks, and Nonconformance Generate Performance

Novel information technologies (ITs), such as mobile devices and third-party cloud services, offer users an increasing variety of action possibilities, i.e., affordances. Organizational IT policies, however, often specify their actualization—i.e., turning those affordances into action—as undesired. Organizations face the challenge that to reach their goals, employees still frequently take advantage of these affordances by using undesired ITs and thereby deviate from IT policies. Although prior work has extensively studied how goal-oriented users actualize affordances that are associated with outcomes that support organizational goals, little attention has been paid to the structures, mechanisms, and conditions underlying affordances that deviate from organizational IT policies. We conceptualize these affordances as deviant affordances. Leveraging the orders of change framework and using a multimethod research design integrating interview and experimental studies, we identify three key mechanisms underlying deviant affordances—i.e., tension, deadlock, and actualization mechanisms—that can link together to produce a deviant outcome supporting both the users’ individual goal and an organizational goal. Our work explains the importance of users’ perceived deadlock in stimulating the generation of deviant outcomes that support organizational goals through improving task, contextual, and innovative job performance.

Unethical practices in online classes during COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of affordances using routine activity theory

PurposeWhile online classes have enabled many universities to carry out their regular academic activities, they have also given rise to new and unanticipated ethical concerns. We focus on the “dark side” of online class settings and attempt to illuminate the ethical problems associated with them. The purpose of this study is to investigate the affordances stemming from the technology-user interaction that can result in negative outcomes. We also attempt to understand the context in which these deleterious affordances are actualized.Design/methodology/approachWe obtain the data from narratives written by students at a top private university in Bangladesh about their experiences of online classes and exams and from focus group discussions with them. We use the lens of affordance theory to identify the abilities that goal-oriented actors – primarily students – obtain from the technology-user interactions, which result in negative outcomes. We also attempt to understand the contextual actualization of those affordances through the lens of Routine Activity Theory (RAT).FindingsWe find three deleterious affordances and three associated deviant outcomes. Non-monitorability which results in academic dishonesty, disguiseability which results in cyber-truancy, and intrudeability which results in embarrassment and harassment. Our findings reveal a deeper underlying problem with the existing educational approach in the universities of Bangladesh and suggest that there is a need to introduce more modern teaching techniques focused on issues such as student engagement and interactive learning.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that combines affordance theory with RAT to identify unethical practices observed in online class settings in the context of a least developed country like Bangladesh and to examine the environmental components that give rise to the pre-conditions for the unethical practices to surface.

Association between Masseter Muscle Area and Thickness and Outcome after Carotid Endarterectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Low muscle mass is associated with adverse outcomes after surgery. This study examined whether facial muscles, such as the masseter muscle, could be used as a proxy for generalized low muscle mass and could be associated with deviant outcomes after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). As a part of the Vascular Ageing study, patients with an available preoperative CT-scan, who underwent an elective CEA between December 2009 and May 2018, were included. Bilateral masseter muscle area and thickness were measured on preoperative CT scans. A masseter muscle area or thickness of one standard deviation below the sex-based mean was considered low masseter muscle area (LMA) or low masseter muscle thickness (LMT). Of the 123 included patients (73.3% men; mean age 68 (9.7) years), 22 (17.9%) patients had LMA, and 18 (14.6%) patients had LMT. A total of 41 (33.3%) patients had a complicated postoperative course and median length of hospital stay was four (4–5) days. Recurrent stroke within 5 years occurred in eight (6.6%) patients. Univariable analysis showed an association between LMA, complications and prolonged hospital stay. LMT was associated with a prolonged hospital stay (OR 8.78 [1.15–66.85]; p = 0.036) and recurrent stroke within 5 years (HR 12.40 [1.83–84.09]; p = 0.010) in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Masseter muscle might be useful in preoperative risk assessment for adverse short- and long-term postoperative outcomes.

Examining the Relationship Between Direct Exposure to Violence and Delinquent Behavior Across Different Immigrant Generations

Contrary to popular rhetoric, studies have shown that the relationship between immigration and crime is null or negative. However, recent studies found that crime rates are high in second-generation immigrants. This study posits that exposure to violence (ETV) is one potential risk factor related to the increase in crime and delinquency among immigrant youth, particularly in second-generation youth. Results show that, at baseline, second-generation youth reported the highest direct ETV. Also, ETV is positively associated with deviant outcomes, especially in second-generation youth, whereas ethnic identity casts a negative effect on delinquency across groups. Study results support that direct ETV is one of the risk factors and contributes to levels of delinquency among immigrant generations.

Bold, mean and disinhibited: getting specific about the mediating role of self-control and antisocial outcomes in youth

Self-control and psychopathy are correlated with antisocial behaviors among diverse samples, and a spate of recent studies examined their direct associations with criminal outcomes. However, research has largely overlooked mediation effects between psychopathy, self-control and deviant outcomes. The current study examined self-control mediation effects related to the triarchic psychopathy construct and juvenile delinquency, crime seriousness, conduct disorder (CD), and aggression outcomes. The sample consisted of N = 567 (M = 15.91 years, SD = 0.99, range = 14–18 years) southern-European youth from Portugal. Study design was cross-sectional, quantitative and non-experimental. Mediation analysis using path analysis procedures indicated that low self-control mediates the relation between the Boldness, Disinhibition and Meanness factors of the triarchic psychopathy construct and the delinquency, crime seriousness, CD and aggression outcomes. Findings suggest that self-control is a mediator of triarchic psychopathic features and diverse externalizing behavior outcomes, which adds specificity to their interrelationship as general predictors of antisocial behavior.

Does Sexual Violence Victimization Contribute to Deviant Behavior? A Test of General Strain Theory

ABSTRACT According to general strain theory (GST), individuals engage in deviant behavior to reduce feelings of negative affect that occur because of strain. In this paper, we examine the relationship between a unique type of strain – sexual violence victimization – and several deviant outcomes. Drawing on GST, we hypothesize that sexual violence victimization will increase the odds of substance abuse, alcohol use, and violent/aggressive behavior and that feelings of anger, anxiety, and depression will mediate the relationship between these factors. To test these relationships, we use data from the Kaplan Longitudinal and Multigenerational Study. Results indicate that sexual violence victimization increases all three types of deviant behavior. Negative affect, however, does not mediate the relationship. We discuss potential explanations and suggestions for future research.

Discrimination and Risky Sexual Behavior, Substance Use, and Suicidality among Transgender Individuals

ABSTRACT Transgender identities are becoming increasingly common in the United States, and existing research provides ample evidence that risky sexual behaviors, substance use, and suicidality are prevalent experiences among transgender persons. Yet, prior research provides little insight into understanding the specific mechanisms that may promote deviant outcomes among transgender persons. Drawing from an aspect of general strain theory, the goal of this study is to examine the extent to which transwomen and transmen vary in risky sexual behaviors, substance use, and suicidality, and to explore the degree to which discrimination – as a source of strain – plays a role within this process. An analysis of data from transgender individuals from the Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study (THIS) demonstrates that transwomen and transmen significantly diverge in self-reported risky sexual behaviors, substance use, and suicidality. Greater discrimination based on transgender identity relates to significantly increased odds of suicidality and elevated levels of substance use, but does not relate to risky sexual behavior. Overall, effects of discrimination on each outcome are similar for both transwomen and transmen.

Social class differences in the relationships between problem gambling and deviant behavior

ABSTRACT Previous studies have suggested that problem gambling is associated with various deviant outcomes. Little research, however, has considered the extent to which such relationships vary by subgroups of the population. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 9,644), this study examines the relationship between problem gambling in young adulthood and a range of deviant behaviors (i.e. binge drinking, marijuana use, instrumental crime, violent crime) and whether these relationships vary by family social class background. Results from logistic regressions reveal that problem gamblers have increased odds of engaging in weekly binge drinking, weekly marijuana use, and any instrumental crime. Furthermore, findings show that the relationship between problem gambling and weekly binge drinking is stronger for those from higher family social class backgrounds, but that the relationship between problem gambling and instrumental crime is stronger for those from lower family social class backgrounds. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Animal Abuse among High-Risk Youth: A Test of Agnew’s Theory

ABSTRACTConcern over animal abuse among policy-makers, law enforcement officials, and the general public remains high. Although research has marked animal abuse as an indicator of a variety of deviant outcomes, fewer projects have examined the correlates of cruelty towards animals. In this study, we apply Agnew’s theory of animal abuse to explore how a wide-range of characteristics relate to deviance towards animals. In support of Agnew’s theory, results reveal that a combination of individual traits and behaviors, socialization experiences, and mechanisms of social control significantly relate to animal abuse. However, measures of strain do not appear to relate to animal abuse, providing only partial support to the theory.

The appearance standard: Criteria and remedies for when a mere appearance of unethical behavior is morally unacceptable

AbstractWhile there are companies whose codes of ethics state that mere appearance of unethical behavior by employees is morally unacceptable, this so‐called appearance standard has hardly received any attention in the business ethics literature. Using corporate integrity theory, this article explores the criteria that may explain how mere appearances of unethical behavior can arise (i.e., the presence of conflicts of interests, the entanglement of these interests, a reputation for lack of integrity, and deviant outcomes) and those that may make such appearances morally unacceptable (i.e., foreseeability, avoidability, and seriousness). The article proposes remedies for preventing and resolving instances when mere appearance of unethical behavior is morally unacceptable.

Low self-control and ADHD: similar yet different concepts in the study of crime

ABSTRACTDue to its consistent association with a wide range of criminal and deviant outcomes, low self-control (LSC) has become among the most extensively measured concepts in criminology. Conversely, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most commonly diagnosed of mental illnesses in young people has not received similar attention despite what appears to be a close conceptual association with LSC. Using data from a sample of students at a medium-sized southwestern university, we analyze the association between LSC and ADHD in predicting a range of criminal and deviant behaviors. Findings indicate an association between the two concepts and that they predicted offending in similar ways, but that the precise nature of the relationship between LSC and ADHD remains uncertain.

Long-term relationships between adolescent intense work and deviance: Are there differences by social class?

Abstract An abundance of research has examined relationships between work and delinquency in adolescence, yet few have considered if adolescent work is associated with long-term deviant outcomes. This is unfortunate as work may constitute an early exit of adolescence and lead youth down deviant pathways by limiting the development of social and human capital in school and family domains. This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) (N = 3749) to examine relationships between intense adolescent work and several deviant outcomes in adulthood using logistic regression. This study also incorporates interactions to test for moderation by social class. Results find that those who consistently worked intense hours in adolescence report more binge drinking in young adulthood than others, and that this relationship is weaker for those from higher social class backgrounds.

Does Gender Matter in Explaining Delinquency and Suicidal Thoughts? An Examination of General Strain Theory in South Korean Youths.

This study attempts to explore the potential extension of general strain theory (GST) by applying the hypotheses proposed by Broidy and Agnew to a sample of South Korean youths. Specifically, this study examines whether particular forms of strain and stressors have differential effects across genders on various deviant outcomes, delinquency, and suicidal thoughts. Multiple regression analyses using longitudinal data of 3,125 South Korean youths revealed mixed support for the GST proposition. Females experienced a higher level of both anger and depression than males. However, the experience of negative emotions is partly gendered in general. This study also found that different negative emotions and strain/stress factors are important and demonstrate gendered pathways in the case of delinquency. However, it also revealed that similar types of strains and stressors and negative emotions were significant and positive for suicidal thoughts for both males and females. Furthermore, a model examining the impacts of conditioning variables on suicidal thoughts highlighted that depression is particularly important in females. These findings indicate that various types of deviant outcomes and strain-stressors provide a fuller understanding of both similarities and differences by gender.

Arrest and the Amplification of Deviance: Does Gang Membership Moderate the Relationship?

Although research has found that gang suppression efforts are largely ineffective, these policies have been responsible for the arrests of many gang youth. Prior research indicates that arrest is associated with deleterious consequences, but we know less about how arrest uniquely affects gang members. Using longitudinal data from a school-based sample, this study explores the effects of arrest for both gang and nongang youth. Propensity score matching and matched outcome analyses allow us to determine whether gang membership moderates the effect of arrest on later deviant outcomes. Our results indicate that the consequences of arrest are inconsistent with the goals of suppression tactics, with gang members reporting little to no change in deviant attitudes and peers and modest increases in delinquency. Meanwhile, nongang youth experience a range of consequences associated with arrest, including increased odds of gang-joining.

Hygiene, sanitation, and behaviors that produce positive deviant outcomes in childhood growth in rural eastern Kenya: A qualitative positive deviant investigation

Hygiene, sanitation, and behaviors that produce positive deviant outcomes in childhood growth in rural eastern Kenya: A qualitative positive deviant investigation

The impact of employees’ status on incivility, deviant behaviour and job insecurity

Purpose– Drawing on the exchange model and the multidimensional approach to job insecurity, the purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship between perceived incivility and two possible outcomes: job insecurity and employee deviance, while differentiating between two separate groups of targets, namely targets who possess high employment status and targets with low employment status.Design/methodology/approach– Data were collected in 2014 in Israel. An on-line questionnaire method was used, through which 648 valid responses were collected and analyzed using structural equational modeling.Findings–H1andH2maintained that incivility would have a positive impact on job insecurity and employee deviance. The other three hypotheses maintained that the perception of incivility, as well as the relationship between incivility and both job insecurity and employee deviance, would be stronger for employees working under less favorable employment conditions. The model’s fit indices indicated a good fit, suggesting that all five hypotheses were accepted.Originality/value– This study elaborates on previous studies by showing that incivility can predict job insecurity and employee deviance. Data related to the potential deviant outcomes of incivility are relatively rare. Additionally, the current research framed incivility, which is a micro-level behavior, in a wider context of employment relations. As precarious employment arrangements are on the rise, it is necessary to understand its hidden implications and threats to both employees and organizations. From a methodological point of view, this study introduced a shorter version of Robinson and Bennett’s (1995) workplace deviance scale, which pertains to the authors’ theoretical model.

Spatial Integration of Immigrants in Nordic Cities: The Relevance of Spatial Assimilation Theory in a Welfare State Context

This article investigates the relevance of spatial assimilation theory in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, and Stockholm. An important backdrop is the “Nordic model of welfare”: We assume that welfare generosity decreases the speed of spatial integration. The study uses non-Western immigrants as a target group and natives as a reference group. We register location in 2000 and 2008, and analyze integration in terms of neighborhood status and residential segregation. The results show, in all cities, a lack of aggregate upward mobility in the spatial hierarchy. We also find a negligible effect of upward earnings mobility on upward spatial mobility. Upward spatial mobility increases integration in ethnic terms, but other factors work in the opposite direction and contribute to prevailing segregation. The results as a whole strengthen the purported association between welfare state characteristics and spatial integration. Deviant outcomes, particularly in Helsinki, are explained by immigration history and housing market structure.