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A Comprehensive Test of General Strain Theory

Key Strains, Situational- and Trait-Based Negative Emotions, Conditioning Factors, and Delinquency

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Merry Morash

Michigan State University

Cynthia Perez McCluskey

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Hye-Won Hwang

Cheongju University

Using longitudinal data on South Korean youth, the authors addressed limitations of previous tests of general strain theory (GST), focusing on the relationships among key strains, situational- and trait-based negative emotions, conditioning factors, and delinquency. Eight types of strain previously shown most likely to result in delinquency, including delinquency in the South Korean context, were measured. To better understand how trait- and situational-based negative emotions mediate the connection of strains to delinquency, trait and situational measures were used for anger and depression, emotions commonly expected to promote delinquency. Overall, the findings support GST's key propositions. Most of the eight strains and some interaction terms between strains and conditioning variables had significant effects on various types of delinquency. Furthermore, situational-based negative emotions operated differently than trait-based negative emotions in mediating the relationship between strain and delinquency. These findings raise questions about the assumption that trait-based negative emotions accurately represent situational-based negative emotions in response to strains.

Key Words: general strain theory • Korean youth • delinquency

This version was published on May 1, 2009

Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Vol. 46, No. 2, 182-212 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0022427808330873


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