Test Of General Strain Theory Research Articles

An Examination of the Reciprocal Relations Between Treatment by Others, Anger, and Antisocial Behavior: A Partial Test of General Strain Theory

General Strain Theory (GST) has received an impressive amount of empirical attention. However, much remains unknown about the role of sources of strain argued to be conducive to negative emotionality—such as perceived unjust treatment—on changes in anger and antisocial behavior over time. The current study aimed to begin to address this gap in the literature by assessing the relationship between changes in perceived unjust treatment, anger, and antisocial behavior across 8 years of the life course. Results from a series of auto-regressive cross-lagged models show support for GST, as well as offer evidence for new lines of empirical investigation. The reported findings offer some of the first evidence for a developmental cascade model of GST.

A Test of General Strain Theory: Explaining Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol Use Among Black Women

Using a sample of 291 Black women and a longitudinal study, we explore how general strain theory can broaden our understanding of Black women’s alcohol use and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Results demonstrated that racial discrimination, past IPV and sexual victimization, and family member’s victimization heightened depression, which increased heavy alcohol use. Discrimination and family victimization also elevated anger, leading to greater IPV perpetration. Results further revealed that depression and anger interacted to influence IPV. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers must continue to pursue culturally sensitive practices to effectively address this unique constellation of strains and advocate for the needs of Black women.

The effects of strain and negative emotions on adolescent cyberbullying perpetration: An empirical test of general strain theory

The effects of strain and negative emotions on adolescent cyberbullying perpetration: An empirical test of general strain theory

A Community-level Test of General Strain Theory (GST) in Mexico

ABSTRACT This study explores the capacity of GST theory at the community level to explain differences in homicide rates across Mexico City neighborhoods. We find that higher levels of economic deprivation, population size, and organized crime activity, the latter being a source of strain leading to the deterioration of Mexican communities, are positively associated with homicide rates. However, neither crowding, residential mobility, nor Indian speaking population, the latter as a proxy of minority population, behave consistent with the theory. Interestingly, population density is consistently associated with homicide rates; however, in the opposite direction that is theorized. Furthermore, stable and statistically consistent relationships seem to have a negative quadratic functional form with homicide, meaning that the impact of these sources of strain will increase along the homicide rates distribution only up to a certain value.

Bullying Victimization and Weapon Carrying: A Partial Test of General Strain Theory

Much of the existing research on adolescent firearm and weapon carrying lacks a theoretical framework. Relatedly, few studies have examined the relationship between weapon carrying and bullying victimization experienced at school, which has been established as a key strain in adolescence. The present study seeks to provide a partial test of general strain theory as a theoretical framework to explain adolescent weapon carrying. Using a large U.S. sample of 7th through 10th grade students ( n = 8,867), I find qualified support for general strain theory. While an index measure of bullying victimization was positively associated with weapon carrying as expected, two measures assessing specific forms of bullying victimization had nonlinear effects that are inconsistent with the theory. The proportion of one’s friends who carry weapons was consistently one of the strongest predictors of a respondent’s own weapon carrying. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Strain During Reentry: A Test of General Strain Theory Using a Sample of Adult Former Prisoners

The majority of reentry studies focus on identifying different dimensions of reentry needs among released prisoners. Less explored is the mechanism by which unfulfilled reentry needs cause reentry failure. Applying the general strain theoretical perspective, this study aims to use an emotional and psychological prism to explain why released prisoners are likely to experience reentry failure when their reentry needs are not met. Findings demonstrate that the strains from financial difficulty and family neglect are positively associated with post-release criminal propensity, and depression noticeably mediated the effects of strains. Implications for correctional policymaking and future research are discussed.

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.

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.

Examining How Testosterone and Cortisol Influence the Relationship Between Strain, Negative Emotions, and Antisocial Behavior: A Gendered Analysis

This study provides a test of General Strain Theory by examining the relations between strain, negative emotions, and biological hormones in the prediction of antisocial behavior across gender. Findings from a diverse sample of 512 undergraduate students reveal that strain and the ratio between testosterone to cortisol reactivity are associated with higher levels of antisocial behavior in males, but not females. In contrast, the effect of depressive symptoms on antisocial behavior is stronger at higher levels of strain and ratio of testosterone to cortisol reactivity in females. Drug use and depressive symptoms were found to partly mediate the association between strain and antisocial behavior in females, but not males.

Stressful Life Events and Negative Emotions on Delinquency Among Korean Youth: An Empirical Test of General Strain Theory Assessing Longitudinal Mediation Analysis.

The current study examines the extent to which the argument of Agnew's general strain theory extends to a sample of South Korean youth to be able to explain the hypothesized direct and indirect/mediated effects of negative emotions derived from various negative life experiences of strain on delinquent behaviors. These experiences can include bullying victimization, parental abuse, poor friend quality, and poor physical functioning. Data for this study were compiled from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS), which is a longitudinal study among 7,027 Korean households surveyed from 2006 through 2012. This study utilizes the longitudinal mediation models for temporal precedence. Results reveal that adolescents with poor-quality friends during the previous year are more likely to engage in later delinquency, and adolescents who experience bullying victimization, child abuse, and poor friendship quality during the previous year are more likely to later feel negative emotions. Furthermore, early feelings of negative emotions are significantly related to later delinquent behaviors and partially mediate the link between poor friend quality and later delinquent behaviors. Finally, bullying victimization, child abuse, and poor friend quality generated negative emotions, which led to a greater likelihood of delinquent behavior later.

Victimization, Crime Propensity, and Deviance: A Multinational Test of General Strain Theory

General Strain Theory (GST) identifies victimization as one of the strains most strongly related to crime which, like other sources of strain, is moderated by individual and social factors. Recently, Agnew extended the theorization of coping strategies by proposing that the effects of strain on deviance are conditioned by individual and social factors in combination, rather than singly, which he labeled crime propensity. Tests of the propensity hypothesis have so far yielded mixed results, highlighting the value of additional studies. Whereas previous tests have focused on single countries, either in North America or Asia, we test the propensity hypothesis using data on adolescents in 25 countries collected through the International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD3; n = 57,760). A series of ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions show that the relationship between victimization and delinquency/substance use is conditioned by the effects of individuals’ crime propensity, thereby supporting the recent extension to GST.

The crossover of negative emotions between former prisoners and their family members during reunion: A test of general strain theory

Prior reentry research illustrates the challenges former prisoners face during reentry. However, the challenges their family members experience are understudied. This study investigates the strain the family members of released prisoners experience. In addition, it examines the crossover of negative emotions between released prisoners and their family members. We use a dyadic data set that captures the experiences of both former prisoners and their family members during reentry. Our results reveal a reciprocal transmission of negative emotion between the two parties. The negative emotions released prisoners and their family members experience are significantly associated with their respective drinking behavior.

Comparing the Impact of Bullying Victimization on Drug Use and Weapon Carrying among Male and Female Middle and High School Students: A Partial Test of General Strain Theory

ABSTRACT Prior research testing general strain theory (GST) suggests potential differences in how males and females respond to strain. Using a sample of 3,139 middle and high school students (1,515 males and 1,624 females), this study evaluates male and female delinquent coping behaviors to traditional bullying and cyberbullying victimization. Three delinquent coping behaviors are investigated: soft drug use, hard drug use, and weapon carrying. This study also examines the impact of bullying on anticipated strain and tests whether anticipated strain mediates the relationship between bullying and delinquency. Results from group-based structural equation models indicate sex differences in the effect of bullying on delinquent coping behavior. Specifically, bullying victimization has a significantly larger association with anticipated strain for males and cyberbullying victimization has a significantly larger association with drug use and weapon carrying for males. Anticipated strain partially mediates the relationship between bullying and delinquency. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Sexual Assault Victimization, Fear of Sexual Assault, and Self-Protective Behaviors: A Test of General Strain Theory

ABSTRACTAccording to Agnew’s General Strain Theory, many individuals who experience strain are more likely to engage in crime or become delinquent. To date, past research has examined the relationship between victimization and fear of crime, as well as the corresponding relationship between fear of crime and self-protective behaviors. Yet, the mediating role fear of sexual assault may have in accounting for the association between prior sexual assault victimization and self-protective behaviors has not been evaluated. The current study addresses this gap in the literature using data collected from a random sample of college students from 12 universities in the United States. The results indicated that the relationship between prior sexual assault victimization and self-protective behavior is partially mediated by fear of sexual assault. The study concludes with a discussion of implications and limitations, as well as directions for future research.

Victimization Recency, Development of Anger, and Violent Offending in Early Adulthood: A Developmental Test of General Strain Theory

ABSTRACTThis research provides a test of general strain theory examining the relevance of strain recency, the role of victimization history for predicting anger development, and the relevance of anger development for mediating this relationship. Analyses utilized group-based trajectory modeling to elucidate patterns of anger development and also utilized multinomial logistic regression to examine the relevance of victimization history for predicting anger development. Analyses then utilized Poisson regression to examine the relevance of victimization for predicting violent offending at age 23 and to test for mediation. A three-group model best fit the data, with low, moderate, and high anger groups emerging. Victimization prior to age 16 significantly increased the risk of assignment to the moderate and high groups. More recent victimization demonstrated a significant effect on violent offending at the age of 23. Anger group assignment fully mediated the relationship between victimization history prior to ages 16 and 23 violent offending.

The impact of family indifference on delinquency among American Indian youth: A test of general strain theory

ABSTRACTNative American (NA) youth's delinquency is one of the major problems that have been overlooked by criminal justice researchers and practitioners. To examine if negative family environment influences their delinquency with the mediating effect of negative emotion, this study analyzed structural equation modeling based on the General Strain Theory (GST). Using data regarding NA adolescents, this study found much evidence supporting GST. The results of the model with anger showed that anger was a mediating variable between family indifferences and delinquency, and the model with depression indicated that family indifferences increased delinquency through depression. However, some results in the model with anger and depression were not in accordance with GST hypothesis.

Alcohol Consumption Among Turkish Adolescents: An Empirical Test of General Strain Theory

ABSTRACTUsing data drawn from the 2008 Youth in Europe Survey, the current study examined alcohol consumption among Turkish adolescents through the lens of Agnew's general strain theory (GST). Although considerable attention has been paid to alcohol consumption among adolescents, extant research has remained limited to Western countries. Similarly, much of the support for GST was derived from research conducted in the United States. The current study explores factors associated with alcohol consumption in Turkey and tests the generalizability of GST. Results from ordinal logistic regression analyses indicated that, except for family strain, specific kinds of strain were significantly associated with drinking behavior without any mediating effect that could emanate from students’ negative affective states.

A Test of General Strain Theory in South Korea: A Focus on Objective/Subjective Strains, Negative Emotions, and Composite Conditioning Factors

Few tests of General Strain Theory (GST) have examined the relative effects of objective and subjective strains on delinquency and the mediating effects of situational-based negative emotions linking strains to delinquency. With a sample of approximately 800 Korean adolescents, the present study tests a model that includes five key objective and the corresponding subjective strains identified as most predictive of delinquency, and situational-based anger and depression in response to each strain. Regardless of whether conceptualized as objective or subjective, three strains (teachers’ punishment, gender discrimination, and criminal victimization) have positive effects on delinquent behaviors. No indicators of situational-based anger and depression (except anger in response to victimization in a negative direction) have direct effects on delinquency or have mediating effects linking strains to delinquency. The results provide limited support for GST’s specification of the relatively greater effects of subjective than objective strains on delinquency and mediating effects of situational-based negative emotions. Theoretical implications are discussed.

Connecting Opportunity and Strain to Understand Deviant Behavior: A Test of General Strain Theory

ABSTRACTThis study examined the connection of general strain theory to opportunity, as defined by one’s desire and ability to engage in criminal or deviant behavior. Over 1,000 undergraduate students completed the electronic survey with a response rate of 12.85%. Regression analyses showed removal of positive stimuli predicted deviant behavior in all models, but anger and other affective states were significant only in some models. Peer deviance, social bonds, and opportunity were important significant predictors. This study supports Agnew’s assertions that strain theory works in conjunction with social learning, social control, and, per this study, opportunity theories.

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.