Strain,Negative Emotions,and Deviant Coping Among African Americans: A Test of General Strain Theory

Although previous research on Agnew's (1992) general strain theory (GST) tends to yield significant effects of strain on negative emotions as well as deviance and crime, results tend to be mixed with regard to (1) the effects of negative emotions on deviance and crime and (2) conditioning factors that Agnew suggests affect the selection of coping strategies. To address these issues, we test hypotheses, derived from GST, about the relationships among strain, negative emotions, and deviant coping by analyzing data from a nationally representative sample of African American adults. Ordinary least squares regression results generally support our hypotheses. First, fully mediating the effects of strain on deviant coping, negative emotions have consistently significant effects on deviance, regardless of whether we use composite or separate measures of inner- and outer-directed emotions and deviance. Interestingly, as hypothesized, the same-directed effects of negative emotions on deviant coping are larger than the opposite-directed ones. Second, while self-esteem and self-efficacy as conditioning factors generally fail to receive empirical support, religiosity is found to significantly buffer the effects of negative emotions on deviance. Implications of our findings for further development of GST are discussed.     

High performance liquid chromatography-immunoassay of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolites in urine

High performance liquid chromatographic-immunoassay (HPLC-IA) profiles of cannabinoid metabolites in urine samples were obtained using four different antisera. The urines were chromatographed on a reverse phase system using a gradient of acetonitrile in water (pH 3.3) and fractions collected every 30 s. Some urine samples were hydrolyzed with methanolic sodium hydroxide before fractionation. Peaks of immunoreactivity were detected at a fraction corresponding to 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (COOH-THC) and at an early eluting fraction; however, the profiles depended upon the specificity of the antisera used.     

Attitudes toward hate crime laws

The research reported here was a survey study exploring attitudes toward hate crime laws and possible causes of such attitudes. In a path model, which was supported by the data, it was found that the major factor determining acceptance or rejection of a hate crime law was whether or not homosexuals would be included as a protected group: those wanting inclusion supporting such a law, and those not wanting inclusion opposing such a law. Consistent with identity politics theory, the data-supported model further found that both social and economic liberals, and people who thought hate crimes created fear in other members of the victim's group, wanted homosexuals included in hate crime laws. Other findings, however, were inconsistent with the identity politics theory position that this movement was a united front. Other results from the data-supported model are also discussed and explanations are provided.     

Papillary hyperplasia of the lingual tonsil and sudden death in epilepsy.

Papillary hyperplasia of the lingual tonsils is a rare entity not previously reported at autopsy. We report a case that occurred in a 19-year-old man who died suddenly from his epilepsy, associated with aspiration of gastric contents. We describe the pathological features of this unusual condition, discuss the possible significance in this case and stress the importance of routine examination of the tongue and pharynx in every autopsy.