General Strain Theory and Delinquency

Agnew, Robert

doi:10.1002/9781118513217.ch16

Cited by 14 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…When considered within the framework of the general strain theory, gamblers who face negative events or emotions, such as extreme financial difficulties, might be more prone to turn to illegal activity to support their habit ( 18 , 19 ). Likewise, these difficulties could also subsequently increase the probability of carrying out illegal acts in order to try to relieve financial hardships ( 20 ). GD-related crimes are frequently reported as being committed in desperation in order to amend financial predicaments brought about by gambling-related losses, or, in some cases, to fund additional gambling episodes ( 21 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gambling and Impulsivity Traits: A Recipe for Criminal Behavior?

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gambling disorder (GD) is a psychiatric condition that was recently recategorized as a non-substance-related addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders. Criminal activity is commonly associated with gambling; however, few empirical studies to date have examined sociodemographic and psychological variables in this population. In this study, we explored criminal behavior history in a sample of consecutively recruited treatment-seeking gamblers (n = 382) and compared subjects with a history of illegal acts (n = 103, 26.9%) to those with no criminal record (n = 279, 73.1%). Impulsivity and personality traits were specifically explored, along with other gambling-related severity factors. We found that gamblers who engaged in illegal activity were more likely to endorse high levels of urgency (i.e., the tendency to act out when experiencing heightened emotional states) and increased lack of premeditation. Gamblers with a history of criminal behavior also had greater GD severity levels and gambling-related debts. Additionally, these gamblers reported lower levels of self-directedness, which is characterized by difficulty in establishing and redirecting behavior toward one’s goals. Likewise, gamblers who had conducted criminal acts showed a tendency to engage in greater risk-taking behavior. These results shed new light on this understudied population and provide insights for developing targeted harm-prevention interventions and treatment protocols.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gambling and Impulsivity Traits: A Recipe for Criminal Behavior?

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Youth who experience parental incarceration are not random and tend to experience other strains and socioeconomic disadvantages (Turney & Haskins, 2014). The magnitude of the strain and the additional strains experienced in combination with limited coping and problem-solving skills (Agnew, 2015) may lead to higher prevalence of delinquency in youth with an incarcerated parent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Externalizing Behavior Among Youth With a Current or Formerly Incarcerated Parent

Ruhland

Davis

Atella

et al. 2019

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examined associations between parental incarceration and youths’ externalizing behaviors (e.g., damage to property, fighting, theft, etc.). Data were drawn from the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey, a statewide sample of 126,868 youth in public schools. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between youths’ experience of parental incarceration and their self-reported externalizing behaviors, controlling for key demographic characteristics. Youth with a currently or formerly incarcerated parent reported significantly more externalizing behaviors compared with youth who never had a parent incarcerated. In addition, youth with a currently incarcerated parent reported significantly more externalizing behaviors than youth who had a formerly incarcerated parent in six out of the eight externalizing behaviors. However, youth who reported having a formerly incarcerated parent were more likely to report lying or conning and more likely to have difficulty paying attention than youth who currently had an incarcerated parent. Results illustrate that parental incarceration has important implications for youths’ own risk for delinquency and high-risk behavior.

show abstract

“…However, studies have been mixed regarding the role of anger, with some showing little evidence that anger mediates the association between strain and delinquency (e.g., Aseltine, Gore, and Gordon 2000; Tittle, Broidy, and Gertz 2008), and others finding support for this pathway (e.g., Jang and Rhodes 2012; Rebellon et al 2012). Similarly, tests of conditional effects have been inconsistent, with some demonstrating that myriad intra- and interpersonal factors have little effect on the association between strain and delinquency (e.g., Botchkovar, Tittle, and Antonaccio 2013; Eitle 2010; Tittle et al 2008), and others finding that strain tends to affect delinquency in the presence of delinquent peers, low self-esteem or self-efficacy, or inadequate social support (e.g., Lin, Cochran, and Mieczkowski 2011; for review of this literature, see Agnew 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(p. 63)In a subsequent work, Agnew (2006:81) argued, “[A]s the cumulative measure [of strain] increases it has an increasingly large effect on crime.” Agnew has thus intimated a nonlinear or a threshold effect of strain, with a relatively flat association until a certain level is reached, after which there is a steeper, positive association with delinquent or criminal behavior. This is because experiencing several stressors is more liable to overload conventional coping resources that youth draw upon and result in negative emotions that induce delinquent adaptations (Agnew 2015; Agnew et al 2008). Unfortunately, there has been little effort to examine this aspect of GST, and arguably this means that we lack information about a significant component of the theory.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interest in the effects of strain and stress on the lives of adolescents and young adults has produced a substantial literature in criminology, sociology, and social psychology (Agnew 2015; Carr and Umberson 2013; Wheaton et al 2013). In particular, Agnew’s (1992) general strain theory (GST) has motivated a considerable amount of research on how certain external conditions place pressure on individuals so they are at risk of criminal, delinquent, and externalized behaviors.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Nonlinear Strain Effects on Delinquent Behavior and Depressive Symptoms

Hoffmann

2018

Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: Few studies have examined the potential nonlinear effects of strain on offending and other outcomes, even though the initial development of general strain theory (GST) recognized their feasibility. This study was designed to investigate these nonlinear effects on delinquent behavior and depressive symptoms, as well as the potential moderating effects of family relations. Methods: Eight years of longitudinal data from the Family Health Study (n = 840) were used to develop a multivariate multilevel model that examined the nonlinear effects of strain—in the form of stressful life events—on delinquent behavior and depressive symptoms. Results: The empirical results suggested that strain has an exponential effect on the delinquency when family relations are poor and a diminishing effect on depressive symptoms when family relations are strong. Conclusions: The findings of this study lend support to the argument that strain has nonlinear effects on delinquency, crime, and depressive symptoms. This suggests that research should consider nonlinear effects in more detail when assessing of GST. Moreover, good family relations can serve to protect youth against the untoward effects of strain and thus may provide a practical focus for intervention efforts.

show abstract

General Strain Theory and Delinquency

Cited by 14 publications

References 38 publications

Gambling and Impulsivity Traits: A Recipe for Criminal Behavior?

Gambling and Impulsivity Traits: A Recipe for Criminal Behavior?

Externalizing Behavior Among Youth With a Current or Formerly Incarcerated Parent

Nonlinear Strain Effects on Delinquent Behavior and Depressive Symptoms

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About