General Strain Theory

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Brezina
Keyword(s):  
General Strain Theory ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Theory Of Crime ◽  
Crime And Delinquency ◽  
General Strain

General strain theory (GST) provides a unique explanation of crime and delinquency. In contrast to control and learning theories, GST focuses explicitly on negative treatment by others and is the only major theory of crime and delinquency to highlight the role of negative emotions in the etiology of offending. According to GST, the experience of strain or stress tends to generate negative emotions such as anger, frustration, depression, and despair. These negative emotions, in turn, are said to create pressures for corrective action, with crime or delinquency being one possible response. GST was designed, in part, to address criticisms leveled against previous versions of strain theory. Earlier versions of strain theory have been criticized for focusing on a narrow range of possible strains, for their inability to explain why only some strained individuals resort to crime or delinquency, and for limited empirical support. GST has been partly successful in overcoming these limitations. Since its inception, the theory has received a considerable amount of attention from researchers, has enjoyed a fair amount of empirical support, and has been credited with helping to revitalize the strain theory tradition. The full potential of GST has yet to be realized, however, as the theory continues to evolve and further testing is required.

The Effect of Sexual Abuse on Deviant Behaviors Among Turkish Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Emotions

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgur Solakoglu ◽  
Nichola Driver ◽  
Scott H. Belshaw
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Property Crime ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Deviant Behaviors ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
General Strain

Drawing from Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of sexual abuse on deviant behaviors, such as suicide, smoking, drinking, drug use, violent crime, and property crime, among Turkish adolescents. The article also aims to understand the mediating role of negative emotions, including depression and anger, as well as gender differences in this relationship. Findings from a series of analyses demonstrate that the experience of sexual abuse is significantly related to the likelihood of engaging in most of the deviant behaviors. In addition, the mediating role of negative emotions, particularly anger, was highlighted in the findings. Furthermore, the effect of sexual abuse on deviant behaviors was relatively greater for Turkish males compared with Turkish females. The current study contributes to the literature on the consequences of sexual abuse by considering them within the unique Islamic–Western cultural context of Turkey. Overall, findings suggest that this particular form of strain has a substantial impact on deviant behaviors among Turkish adolescents.

scholarly journals STRAIN, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND ACCESS TO LUCRATIVE CRIME OPPORTUNITIES

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karine Descormiers ◽  
Martin Bouchard ◽  
Ray Corrado
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Juvenile Offenders ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
Criminal Opportunities ◽  
General Strain ◽  
Empirical Implications ◽  
Delinquent Peers ◽  
Ability And Willingness

<p>General strain theory (GST) posits that the experience of strains cause negative emotions that individuals try to alleviate through various strategies, including delinquency. GST predicts that the choice of delinquency as a coping solution will be more likely in certain conditions, including those where criminal opportunities are more abundant. The current study considers the role of strain as a direct predictor of lucrative criminal opportunities. Because we are specifically interested in lucrative, as opposed to routine criminal opportunities, our theoretical framework is also informed by research on criminal achievement which posits that offenders with more social capital are more likely to make money out of crime. Drawing from a sample of 170 juvenile offenders incarcerated in British Columbia, our results show that strain experiences are significantly associated with daily access to lucrative criminal opportunities, even after controlling for other factors, including negative emotions such as anger. Our results also indicate that criminal social capital &ndash; that is, the ability and willingness to collaborate with co-offenders in criminal pursuits &ndash; is strongly associated to access to lucrative criminal opportunities. The number of delinquent peers, however, did not emerge as a significant predictor. Theoretical and empirical implications for understanding and preventing juvenile delinquency are discussed.</p>

scholarly journals Are the Effects of Poverty and Victimization on Criminal Recidivism Mediated by Depression as Predicted by General Strain Theory? A Longitudinal Study of Provincially Sentenced Women

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Newman
Keyword(s):  
General Strain Theory ◽  
Female Offenders ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Criminal Recidivism ◽  
General Strain ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Provincially Sentenced

The current study is a longitudinal analysis of psychosocial factors contributing to re-offending among 125 adult female offenders. Drawing on General Strain Theory (GST), the study examined the role of victimization and poverty on criminal recidivism and investigated whether this relationship was mediated by depression. Regression, survival, and mediational analyses were employed to examine the impact of these variables on criminal recidivism. Findings revealed that using illegal means to make ends meet, and having survived childhood sexual abuse, were particularly important predictors of recidivism for women in the study sample, although depression was not found to significantly mediate the relationship between strain and recidivism. Implications for future research on female recidivism and helping women to stay crime-free are discussed.

Gender, General Strain Theory, Negative Emotions, and Disordered Eating

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Leeper Piquero ◽  
Kristan Fox ◽  
Alex R. Piquero ◽  
George Capowich ◽  
Paul Mazerolle
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
General Strain Theory ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
General Strain

Can the General Theory of Crime and General Strain Theory Explain Cyberbullying Perpetration?

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 674-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Lianos ◽  
Andrew McGrath
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
General Strain Theory ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Strain Theory ◽  
Self Control ◽  
General Theory Of Crime ◽  
Theory Of Crime ◽  
General Strain ◽  
Low Self Control ◽  
The Relationship

Cyberbullying is an increasingly common characteristic of contemporary online communication. The current study surveyed 320 Internet-active young adults and found up to 80% reported engaging in this behavior at least once. In addition, the ability of the general theory of crime and general strain theory to explain cyberbullying perpetration was tested. Evidence for both theories was observed, with both low self-control and higher levels of strain related to cyberbullying perpetration. Furthermore, opportunity (operationalized as moderate and high number of hours online) interacted with low self-control to increase perpetration, and anger partially mediated the relationship between strain and cyberbullying. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document