Anomie in the Post-Communist Area: Reapplication of the Middleton Scale and Amplifications

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  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 12. Strain Theory

Abstract

We address the classical concept of anomie in empirical perspective. In 2011 anomie scale proposed by Middleton (1963) was added by Swader and Kosals in the WVS, wave 6, for Russia and Kazakhstan. Taken into account several theoretical concerns (such as multidimensionality, number of items applied) we carry out validation of the Middleton anomie scale using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple group analysis with MPLUS 7 and draw the following conclusions. The Middleton scale provides us with rather good model fits. Hovewer, it is heterogeneous and consists of two dimensions – that of anomie (indicators of normlessness and powerlessness) which is closer to the innovative mode of adaptation proposed by Merton (1938) and alienation (social isolation, meaninglessness and job dissatisfaction). Results of configural, metric, and scalar invariance and the alignment test (Asparouhov and Muthen 2013) show that these results are valid for both countries. Predictors for anomie and alienation for both countries are found and recommendations for further research are made.

Author

• Ekaterina Lytkina, State University-Higher School of Economics