Strain and Opportunity Structures |
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Authors: | John P Hoffmann Timothy O Ireland |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Sociology, 844 SWKT, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;(2) Department of Criminal Justice, Niagara University, NY, USA |
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Abstract: | Traditional strain theory received substantial empirical attention for a prolonged period of time, but it currently occupies a marginal position in criminology. Efforts to revitalize and elaborate it have occurred under the rubric of Agnew's general strain theory. These theories share a focus on how contextual factors, in particular what are commonly referred to as opportunity structures, affect the relationship between stresses and strains and delinquency. Using national-level data, this study considers empirically the impact of several illegitimate opportunity structures conceptualized at the school-level on the association between strain, stressful life events, delinquency, and self-concept. The results indicate that both stress and strain affect changes in delinquency and self-concept over time. Yet there is little evidence that these relationships are conditioned by access to illegitimate opportunity. These results suggest that strain and stress affect delinquency uniformly across a variety of illegitimate opportunity structures. |
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Keywords: | strain theory stress delinquency opportunity structures multilevel |
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