Sexual Assault Victimization, Fear of Crime, and Constrained Behaviors: A Test Of General Strain Theory

• In Event: Strain, Victimization and Crime

Abstract

According to Agnew’s general strain theory (1992), individuals who experience strain are more likely to engage in crime or become delinquent. Even though the relationship between victimization as a form of strain found in an individual’s resulting delinquency, has been found in previous research. The relationship between victimization and non-delinquent coping strategies has received less attention. Furthermore, even though research has examined the effect of victimization on fear of crime, as well as the effect of fear of crime on constrained behaviors, no research has yet to examine the mediating role of fear of crime in accounting for the association between victimization and constrained behaviors. The current study addresses these issues using data collected from a random sample of college students from 12 Universities within the United States. The results indicated that the relationship between sexual assault victimization and constrained behaviors is mediated by fear of crime. The study concludes with a discussion of limitations and directions for future research.

Author

• Robert Archer, Florida International University