Strain, Personality Traits, and Delinquency: Extending General Strain Theory

Agnew, Robert; Brezina, Timothy; Wright, John Paul; Cullen, Francis T.

doi:10.1111/j.1745-9125.2002.tb00949.x

Cited by 520 publications

(485 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…Many of the main concepts pertaining to GST have been thoroughly tested, most specifically, the direct relationship between strain and delinquency. Overall, the research has consistently found a positive relationship between strain and delinquent behavior (e.g., Agnew, 2002;Agnew et al, 2002;Agnew & White, 1992;Aseltine et al, 2000;Brezina, Piquero, & Mazerolle, 2001;Hay, 2003;Paternoster & Mazerolle, 1994). Indeed, in almost every published test of GST, at least one measure of strain has been found to positively influence delinquency.…”

Section: Empirical Research On Gstmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another limitation involves the exclusion of variables hypothesized to condition the effects of strain on delinquency including delinquent peer associations, situational and dispositional anger (e.g., Capowich et al, 2001), negative emotionality/low constraint (e.g., Agnew et al, 2002), social bonding (e.g., Mazerolle, 1998), and exposure to delinquent peers (e.g., Paternoster & Mazerolle, 1994). Again, the data did not permit such inclusion.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, findings are mixed with regard to the role of conditioning effects on the strain-delinquency relationship. (e.g., Agnew, Brezina, Wright, & Cullen, 2002;Agnew & White, 1992;Aseltine, Gore, & Gordon, 2000;Hay, 2003;Mazerolle & Maahs, 2000;Piquero & Sealock, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Johnson

Morris

2008

Journal of Criminal Justice

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Previous research has shown that many forms of strain are positively related to delinquency. Evidence also suggests that religiosity buffers the effects of strain on offending, but this issue requires further research. Using data from a national sample of adolescents, this study examined whether or not religiosity conditioned the relationship between strain and delinquency. This study also looked at the ability of social support, self-esteem, and depression to moderate the influence of strain on delinquent behavior. The findings here lend support to general strain theory in that strain had a direct positive effect on delinquency, yet there was little evidence that the relationship was moderated by religiosity or other conditioning variables. The roles of moderating variables on strain across genders were also considered.

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Section: Empirical Research On Gstmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Johnson

Morris

2008

Journal of Criminal Justice

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“…Research regarding human personality is extensive (see Moffitt, Avshalom, Rutter, and Silva, 2001;Agnew et al, 2002), and an exhaustive examination would be inappropriate here. Some human traits have repeatedly shown up in delinquency research, however, and serve as contingencies to examining deterrent effects.…”

Section: Type Of Individualmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deterrent Effect of Curfew Enforcement: Operation Nightwatch in St. Louis, 2003-2005

Urban¹

2005

ICPSR Data Holdings

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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the curfew check program in St. Louis, Missouri, known as Nightwatch, to determine whether the program meets its stated goals of reducing recidivism and victimization, as well as the mechanism by which this is accomplished. The rationale behind the program is that the threat of formal controls by way of home visits and sanctions will elicit compliance with curfew and increase the perception of certainty of punishment, and that juveniles who must remain at home will have fewer opportunities for crime and victimization experiences. Perceptual deterrence and lifestyle and routine activity theories were used to test this rationale.The research design consists of a pre test with multiple post tests. A purposive sample of 118 offenders recently referred to the juvenile court for an official charge was selected and surveys administered. The experimental group consists of juveniles who received Nightwatch visits, the comparison group consists of juveniles with comparable demographic and offense characteristics, who did not receive visits.Results of the process evaluation reveal that the program functions well in terms of execution of home visits, but that record keeping and number of visits are inconsistent with stated procedures. The outcome evaluation revealed that between Time 1 and Time 2 the experimental group had significantly fewer self-report delinquency and victimization incidents. The comparison group had significantly more victimization experiences between these two time points. The mechanism for the reduction in delinquency appears to be opportunity rather than a change in perceptions. Thus, the juveniles apparently changed their behavior but not their perceptions of certainty of punishment. Several policy and research implications are presented.This study should not be generalized directly to other sites, given the small sample size, high rate of attrition, and that it is limited to only one study site. Jurisdictions considering a curfew check program such as Nightwatch must carefully consider budgetary, logistic, and feasibility issues prior to considering implementation.ii

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“…However there is evidence that Self-Control (associated with Conscientiousness), Emotional Stability, and Agreeableness are important protective factors against criminal activity (John et al1994, Agnew et al 2002. Controlling for the influence of education and cognitive ability, these traits appear equally predictive of lower criminal activity (Heckman, Stixrud, and Urzua, 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%