Strain and Opportunity Structures
Traditional strain theory received substantial empirical attention for a prolonged period of time, but it currently occupies a marginal position in criminology. Efforts to revitalize and elaborate it have occurred under the rubric of Agnew's general strain theory. These theories share a focus o...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2004
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| In: |
Journal of quantitative criminology
Year: 2004, Volume: 20, Issue: 3, Pages: 263-292 |
| Online Access: |
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| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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| Summary: | Traditional strain theory received substantial empirical attention for a prolonged period of time, but it currently occupies a marginal position in criminology. Efforts to revitalize and elaborate it have occurred under the rubric of Agnew's general strain theory. These theories share a focus on how contextual factors, in particular what are commonly referred to as opportunity structures, affect the relationship between stresses and strains and delinquency. Using national-level data, this study considers empirically the impact of several illegitimate opportunity structures conceptualized at the school-level on the association between strain, stressful life events, delinquency, and self-concept. The results indicate that both stress and strain affect changes in delinquency and self-concept over time. Yet there is little evidence that these relationships are conditioned by access to illegitimate opportunity. These results suggest that strain and stress affect delinquency uniformly across a variety of illegitimate opportunity structures. |
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| ISSN: | 1573-7799 |
| DOI: | 10.1023/B:JOQC.0000037734.89980.57 |