The Conditional Effects of Stress on Delinquency and Drug Use: A Strain Theory Assessment of Sex Differences

Abstract

Agnew's reconceptualization of individual-level strain theory has suggested several ways in which stress among adolescents affects delinquent behavior. However, the general stress literature from which much of Agnew's theory is drawn indicates that sex conditions the effects of stress on various outcomes among adolescents. The present article elaborates Agnew's general strain model by assessing the sex-specific effects of stressful life events on delinquency and drug use, using two waves of data from 11- to 17-year-old adolescents who participated in the High Risk Youth Study (N = 803). The results of a structural equation model indicate that there are few important sex differences; stressful life events have a similar, short-term impact on delinquency and drug use among females and males. Furthermore, the authors find that changes in life events are associated with greater delinquency and drug use.

Protective effect of supportive family relationships and the influence of stressful life events on adolescent adjustment

“…Our results coincide with other studies that have found evidence for a connection between the experience of stressful life events and adolescent internalizing (Aseltine et al, 1994;Kraaij et al, 2003;Leadbeater et al, 1999;Murberg & Bru, 2004;Rafnsson et al, 2006) and externalizing problems (Aseltine, Gore & Gordon, 2000;Hoffmann & Su, 1997;Kim et al, 2003), although there are longitudinal studies that have not found a relationship …”

“…coping strategies may play in the relationship between the perceived or received social support and the adjustment of the adolescent (Calvete & Connor-Smith, 2006;Holahan, et al, 1997). It is probable that this support could influence the perception that adolescents have of potentially stressful situations, increasing their confidence in the resources they have to cope with, and reducing their emotional impact or preventing emotional disturbances from turning into externalizing problems (Lakey & Cohen, 2000).…”

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

“…There is also evidence that females are less likely to engage in violent behavior partly because they have higher levels of religiosity, which buffers the effects of strain on aggression (Jang & Johnson, 2005), though the results failed to show any significant relationships between strain and offending for females. Other studies (e.g., Hoffmann & Cerbone, 1999;Hoffmann & Su, 1997) had failed to find gender differences in response to strain as predicted by the theory. Agnew (2006) notes that the inability of some studies to find support for the GST explanation of gender differences may be due to their limited measures of strain, and measures of offending that include trivial offenses, which distort gender differences.…”

Examining Gender Differences in Service Utilization among Children: Nature, Nurture, or Social Network?

“…For example, official statistics reveal that girls are more likely to be victims of sexual abuse compared to boys who are more likely to be victims of physical assault and neglect (Finkelhor and Ormrod 2000). Boys and girls also may differ in coping styles (Hoffman and Su 1997;Thompson 1999). Studies have shown that girls are much more likely to cope with stress using internalizing behaviors (e.g., anxiety and depression) while boys are more likely to use externalizing behaviors (e.g., anger or aggression) (Hoffman and Su 1997;Moffitt et al 2001).…”

“…Boys and girls also may differ in coping styles (Hoffman and Su 1997;Thompson 1999). Studies have shown that girls are much more likely to cope with stress using internalizing behaviors (e.g., anxiety and depression) while boys are more likely to use externalizing behaviors (e.g., anger or aggression) (Hoffman and Su 1997;Moffitt et al 2001).…”