A Test of General Strain Theory*

Abstract

Tests of general strain theory (Agnew, 1992) have focused primarily on the relationship between strain and crime, ignoring the intervening role of negative emotions and legitimate coping strategies. This research provides a more comprehensive test of general strain theory, including measures of both anger and other expressions of negative affect, as well as a measure of legitimate coping. Results suggest that strain, negative emotions, and legitimate coping are all related, although not always in the expected direction. Moreover, results indicate that the nature of the link among these three variables and criminal outcomes are shaped by the types of strain and negative affect individuals experience, and by sex differences in the links among central variables.

Classifying Violent Versus Nonviolent Offending in a Diverse Sample of Adolescent Juvenile Delinquents

“…Agnew's theory was tested in a sample of 12-and 15-year-old males and females, and results support his conclusions, even when controlling for factors such as relationships with deviant peers (Agnew & White, 1992). Recent empirical investigations have reached similar conclusions (Broidy, 2001;Ostrowsky & Messner, 2005;Paternoster & Mazerolle, 1994). However, others have criticized Agnew's theory on the basis that general strain theory often overlaps other theoretical constructs, such as control theory, which renders identifying the unique contribution of general strain theory difficult (Froggio, 2007).…”

Examining Strain in a School Context

“…Other tests of general strain theory have found support for specific components of general strain (see Brezina, 1996;Mazerolle & Piquero, 1997, 1998 and support among different populations of offenders (see Broidy, 2001;Piquero & Sealock, 2000;Broidy & Agnew, 1997). The diversity of these tests provides confirmation that the theory should be tested more explicitly and completely with appropriate data drawn from an appropriate sample within an appropriate context.…”

The moderating effects of religiosity on the relationship between stressful life events and delinquent behavior

“…Using the same data, Hoffmann and Cerbone (1999) found similar results regarding self-esteem using latent growth curve modeling. The extant research on GST using adolescent samples did not support a conditioning role for self-esteem, and studies using adult samples were generally concurrent (e.g., Broidy, 2001;Eitle & Turner, 2003), however, the limited research suggests further studies should incorporate self-esteem into models of GST.…”