NCJ Number
232835
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2010 Pages: 221-235
Date Published
December 2010
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the effect of unstructured routines and social-psychological strain on adolescent delinquent behavior.
Abstract
In this article, based on Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST), main as well as interactive effects of social-psychological strain and unstructured routines in the explanation of petty crime and serious delinquency are studied in a general adolescent population. Data signify that family and school strain does relate to adolescent offending. However, chances of these types of strain leading to adolescent offending are highest amongst youth who do not engage in unstructured routines, which indicates that individual- and situational-based causes of offending have a great potential of being studied together. Strain resulting from a beloved person getting ill or passing away, on the other hand, only relates to adolescent offending through unstructured routines. Finally, it was found that strain mechanisms are more important in the explanation of serious delinquency than petty crime. Implications for further research as well as for the future of GST are discussed. Tables, appendix, and references (Published Abstract)