Explaining Gang Involvement and Delinquency Among Asian Americans: An Empirical Test of General Strain Theory

• NCJ Number: 227227
• Journal: Journal of Gang Research Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 2009 Pages: 1-33
• Author(s): Glenn T. Tsunokai Ph.D.; Augustine J. Kposowa Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2009
• Length: 33 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined gang involvement and delinquency among Asian youth in the United States from the perspective of Agnew's general strain theory (GST).

Abstract

Findings provided partial support for GST while raising significant questions about gang membership and delinquency among Asian youth in America. Consistent with GST, Asian youth who responded to school-related stress with anger and frustration were more likely to commit future delinquent acts, such as stealing something or purposely damaging or destroying property; however, the analysis failed to show a significant relationship between strain, negative affect, and gang involvement among Asian youth. The findings suggest that when Asian youth are under stress, specifically school-related stress, they tend to bypass gang involvement as a means of adapting to or expressing their frustration and anger under stress. For Asian youth who were involved in gangs (45 percent of respondents), this involvement did not increase their criminal behavior. This may mean that Asian youth join gangs for social support more than as an outlet or reinforcement for criminal behavior. Although the study hypothesized that stress produced by generational conflict would increase gang involvement and delinquency, this was not the case. Instead, results showed that youth were actually less likely to engage in future delinquent acts. This may be due to the nature and structure of family relationships among Asian Americans. The full sample of 285 respondents included 221 males (78 percent) and 64 females (22 percent). Twelve measures consistent with GST were used to test the various dimensions of strain, including goal blockage, presentation of noxious stimuli (parental hostility, school-related stress, and intergenerational acculturation), and removal of positive stimuli. Control variables were delinquent peers and citizenship. 3 tables and 50 references