Specifying the Strain-Violence Link: The Role of Emotions in Women's Descriptions of Violent Incidents

• NCJ Number: 239139
• Journal: Victims & Offenders Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: January-March 2012 Pages: 1-29
• Author(s): Lee Ann Slocum; Andres F. Rengifo; Kristin Carbone-Lopez
• Date Published: January 2012
• Length: 29 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Consortium on Violence Research (NCOVR)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This research examines Agnew's General Strain theory and emotions that might be linked to violent behavior.

Abstract

Research on General Strain Theory has not considered fully the range of emotions that might be linked to violent behavior. Moreover, quantitative analyses of strain and emotions have assessed emotional traits rather than emotional states that directly precede violence. The authors used narrative data from incarcerated women to examine how they describe the strains and resulting emotions that emerged during incidents in which they used violence. The author's findings confirm the importance of anger, but also suggest the presence of other related emotions during violent interactions. The authors argue that the study of General Strain Theory can be advanced by considering situational factors. (Published Abstract)