Examining Sex Differences in Strain, Negative Affect and Deviant Behavior among Individuals involved in the Criminal Justice System

• In Event: Strain and control across different groups and environments

Abstract

General strain theory has garnered significant empirical evidence, particularly for the relationships between strain, anger and criminal behavior. Additionally, research has suggested that males and females may respond differently to negative life events and negative affect, however findings regarding the nature of these relationships have been mixed. The current study contributes to the existing literature by examining the influence of self-reported adverse childhood experiences, self-reported adulthood negative life events, and self-reported negative emotions on several forms of negative behavioral outcomes including self-reported attempted suicide, self-reported drug use, and self-reported violent and property offending. We also examined the impact on self-reported use of legitimate coping skills. Finally, this study also examined the degree to which males and females differ in the types of self-reported strain experienced over time, range and variety of emotions, and self-reported treatment seeking behaviors. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected from 295 males and females incarcerated in a local jail located in Virginia (USA). Preliminary results from a series of multivariate analyses indicated that several forms of strain are related to negative emotions, and certain emotions may be more strongly related to specific coping behaviors and negative behavioral outcomes. A full discussion of our results and the implications for criminological theory, correctional treatment and criminal justice policy will be presented.

Author

• Nancy Ann Morris, VCU