Strain theory has a long academic lineage for explaining criminal and deviant behavior from the classical writings of Emile Durkheim to the contemporary writings of Robert Agnew. The purpose of this research is to conduct an empirical test of Agnew's general strain theory utilizing Wave 1 data from the 1994-1996 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data (Add Health) (N = 6,503). Utilizing the Add Health data set represents a new attempt at empirically evaluating Agnew's theory. Scales were constructed by the author operationalizing the propositions of general strain theory utilizing variables from this data set. Regression was used to find out if juvenile delinquency is associated with Agnew's general strain theory. Research findings show that taken together, the propositions of general strain theory, cumulative measures of failure to achieve goals, loss of valued objects and introduction of stressful events are all statistically significant predictors of juvenile delinquency. Regression and scale correlations indicated a low positive relationship between juvenile delinquency and Agnew's general strain theory propositions. This study represents an attempt in utilizing a data set which has not been used before to empirically test general strain theory.

This thesis provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory of Delinquency, and tests his 2002 extension using two subsamples from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Juveniles between 12 and 17, and “emerging” adults that are 18 years old. Including an “emerging” adult subsample makes this analysis one of the first full tests of adults. Additionally, this analysis is the first partial test of Agnew’s 2013 extension of General Strain Theory. Overall, the results of the analysis lend support to Agnew’s 2002 extension. Measures of strain are revealed to significantly effect measures of negative emotionality and low selfconstraint, and measures of negative emotionality and low self-constraint significantly affect delinquency/deviance and illicit substance use. A major limitation to the thesis is that there is no negative emotionality measure of anger, which is Agnew’s (1985; 1992) key measures of negative emotionality. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

by Mok Yui Ting. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-171). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- The Research Problem --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2 --- Background of the Study --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research Objectives p --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1 --- Traditional Strain Theories and General Strain Theory --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Other Important Theories for Explaining Adolescent Deviant Behavior --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Hirschi´ةs Social Bonding Theory (1969) --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Sutherland and Cressey's Differential Association Theory (1978) --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Becker´ةs Labeling Theory (1963) --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- Adolescent Delinquency Studies in Hong Kong --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Analytical Framework --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1 --- General Strain Theory --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2 --- Social Bonding Theory --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3 --- Differential Association Theory --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4 --- Labeling Theory --- p.69 / Chapter 3.5 --- The Hypotheses --- p.74 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Methodology --- p.75 / Chapter 4.1 --- Data and Sample --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2 --- Measurements of Variables --- p.81 / Chapter 4.3 --- Method of Data Analysis --- p.107 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Results --- p.109 / Chapter 5.1 --- Bivariate Analysis --- p.109 / Chapter 5.2 --- Multiple Regression Analysis --- p.116 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Multiple Regression of Adolescent Deviant Behavior on Strain Variables --- p.117 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- "Multiple Regression of Adolescent Deviant Behavior on Strain, Social Bonding, Differential Association and Labeling Variables" --- p.119 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Reduced Model --- p.122 / Chapter 5.3 --- Verification of Hypotheses --- p.128 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Summary and Discussion --- p.129 / Chapter 6.1 --- The Study --- p.129 / Chapter 6.2 --- Summary of Findings --- p.131 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Relevance of the Theories on Adolescent Deviant Behavior in Hong Kong --- p.132 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Social Correlates of Adolescent Deviant Behavior in Hong Kong --- p.145 / Chapter 6.3 --- Theoretical Implications --- p.147 / Chapter 6.4 --- Practical Implications --- p.151 / Chapter 6.5 --- Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research --- p.152 / Bibliography --- p.157