Relational Strains and Delinquency: Assessing the Gendering of Emotions’ Claims among Chinese Adolescents*

Abstract

This study assesses the gendering of emotions’ claims in an understudied population, that is, adolescents in mainland China. Specifically, it examines gender variations in the emotional reactions to relational strains and gendered responses to emotions with types of delinquency. Data drawn from over 500 middle‐school students from an urban city in China yield results in support of general strain theory in most respects, but culture‐specific patterns are noted. In general, Chinese boys and girls respond to different domains of relational strains, and relational strains are more strongly associated with depression than anger. Furthermore, boys respond to relational strains with anger more often than do girls, whereas girls and boys are about equal in responding to strains with depression. Gender differences are observed concerning responses to emotions with delinquency. Boys are more likely than girls to use aggression in response to anger and depression, whereas no gender differences are manifested in the reaction to emotions with non‐aggressive delinquency. Gender patterns are also noted in the assessment of negative emotions as mediators of the strain–delinquency relationship. We address these findings along with other observations in light of general strain theory and sociocultural factors pertinent to mainland China.

Statistical analysis of childhood and early adolescent externalizing behaviors in a middle low income country

“…Genetic and environmental factors are the prime contributory factors [63]. The present study has shown that delinquent behavior is inclined to boys than girls, which is a submission of [90] and contrary to [88,89]. The same was observed for hyperactivity [106].…”

“…The effect of parenting style on delinquent behavior is the same for males and females [86], surprisingly, parental monitoring does not affect the delinquency behavior in boys [87]. Moreover, no gender difference was observed for delinquent behavior [88,89], which is contrary to the findings of [90] that attributed high susceptibility to boys. Exposure to violence [91] and personal identity formation [92] have been implicated in predicting delinquent behaviors in young people.…”