ADHD, strain, and criminal behavior: a test of general strain theory

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between attention deficit=hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), strain, and criminal behavior. This is an attempt to introduce ADHD, a psychological disorder, into the framework of general strain theory. Using a purposive sample of college students, we tested the hypothesis that individuals with self-reported symptoms of ADHD were more likely to participate in criminal behaviors when experiencing strain. We found that ADHD symptoms conditioned the effect of strain on crime. The results suggest that individuals at risk for ADHD may be less able to legitimately cope with strain compared to the rest of the population.Sociological explanations of crime have played a dominant role in criminology, underemphasizing the impact of individual differences caused by biological and psychological factors (Fishbein 2000). Recently, however, attempts have been made to integrate relevant biological=psychological explanations for antisocial behavior with sociological explanations (Walsh 2000;Fishbein 2000) in order to obtain a more complete picture of the complex dynamics involved in deviant behavior. During this time, Robert Agnew's

Impact of Physical Activity on the Aggressiveness, Deviant Behavior and Self-esteem with School Children Aged 11-15

“…In turn, ADHD may be related to delinquency (Pratt, Cullen, Blevins, Daigle, & Unnever, 2002); however, some research has suggested otherwise (Stevens & Mulsow, 2006). ADHD may be also indirectly related to delinquency through other potentially enabling factors, such as personal strains (Johnson & Kercher, 2007). This finding also supports research in that excessive TV viewing may be associated with risky behavior; however, there is evidence to suggest that parental regulation may be an important factor in this relationship (Nelson & Gordon-Larsen, 2006).…”

Sedentary Activities, Peer Behavior, and Delinquency Among American Youth

“…In turn, ADHD may be related to delinquency (for a review, see Pratt, Cullen, Blevins, Daigle, & Unnever, 2002); however, some research has suggested otherwise (Stevens & Mulsow, 2006). ADHD may be also indirectly related to delinquency through other potentially enabling factors, such as personal strains (Johnson & Kercher, 2007). This finding also supports research in that excessive TV viewing may be associated with risky behavior; however, there is evidence to suggest that parental regulation may be an important factor in this relationship (see Nelson & Gordon-Larsen, 2005).…”

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“…As an important theme, Merton's work examines how social structures "exert a definite pressure upon certain persons … to engage in nonconforming rather than conforming conduct" (Merton, 1968: 186). This theory in turn has been applied to explain the distribution of crime rates across different social classes and groups (Bernard, 1987;Ross and Mirowsky, 1987;Siegel, 2004), with empirical support for the negative relationship between people's social class and their propensity to engage in criminal behavior (Berk et al, 1980;Johnson and Kercher, 2007). In essence, Merton considers that strain theory can clarify the tension between the emphasis placed in modern society on the goal of monetary success and the inadequacy of existing opportunity structures to meet this goal (Akers, 2000;Orru, 1987).…”