NCJ Number
198752
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 603-632
Date Published
December 2002
Length
30 pages
Annotation
Focusing on general strain theory, this article addresses the effects of vicarious and anticipated strains on juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
This article presents a brief literature review of contemporary research on strain theory. Noting that general strain theory (GST) argues that strain or negative treatment by others leads to negative emotions such as anger and frustration, this article presents a brief literature review of contemporary research on strain theory. Turning to a discussion of physical victimization, the author argues that this key type of strain is likely to cause juvenile delinquency. In order to analyze the effects of vicarious and anticipated strain on juvenile delinquency, the author used data from the High School Youth, Weapons, and Violence Survey based on a national sample of 734 male high school sophomores and juniors collected in 1996. Testing experienced victimization, vicarious victimization among family and friends, in neighborhoods, and in schools, and anticipated victimization and fear as measures of strain, the author found correlations among delinquency, the measures of experienced, vicarious, and anticipated strain, and a series of control variables. Specifically, multiple regression analysis indicated that juvenile delinquency was related to experienced victimization as well as certain types of anticipated and vicarious physical victimization among family and friends. Studies of strain theory have important implications regarding the causes of crime and their policy implications. Tables, references