Journal of Criminal Justice 40(3)

Journal of Criminal Justice, 2012: Volume 40, Issue 3

Toward a criminal justice epidemiology: Behavioral and physical health of probationers and parolees in the United States
Michael G. Vaughn, Matt DeLisi, Kevin M. Beaver, Brian E. Perron, Arnelyn Abdon

This study explicitly articulates a criminal justice epidemiology. Probationers and parolees report high substance use and reduced risk perception. Depression, asthma, and sexually transmitted diseases are relatively common. Behavioral health status hamper's efforts to increase public safety.

General strain theory, the criminal justice system and beyond: Introduction to the special issue
Robert Agnew, Matt DeLisi

General strain and non-strain theories: A study of crime in emerging adulthood
Sung Joon Jang, Jeremy R. Rhodes

The strain of child maltreatment and criminal victimization tends to increase crime and drug use. Anger and depression/anxiety mediate the effects of strain on predatory crimes and marijuana use. Low self-control and social bonds, but not deviant peer associations, mediate the strain effect. Deviant peer associations aggravate the strain effect and the effect of anger on violent crime. Low self-control increases the strain effect on violent crime, but social bonds does not moderate.

Can general strain theory be used to explain recidivism among registered sex offenders?
Alissa R. Ackerman, Meghan Sacks

Does prison strain lead to prison misbehavior? An application of general strain theory to inmate misconduct
Robert G. Morris, Michael L. Carriaga, Brie Diamond, Nicole Leeper Piquero, Alex R. Piquero

The findings lend support to general strain theory. Prison unit environmental strains are linked to inmate misconduct. The most deviant inmates may be overtly susceptible to environmental strains. This is the first study of prison misconduct to utilize trajectory analysis.

Childhood adversity and substance use of women prisoners: A general strain theory approach
Susan F. Sharp, B. Mitchell Peck, Jennifer Hartsfield

We utilize General Strain Theory to predict pre-incarceration daily drug use of women prisoners. We expand the use of General Strain Theory to an incarcerated population. We examine the separate and cumulative effects of adverse childhood experiences on substance use. Both separate and cumulative strain measures predict daily drug use. Separate strain measures work slightly better than cumulative in predicting daily drug use

Foster youth and crime: Employing general strain theory to promote understanding
Ravinder Barn, Jo-Pei Tan

We test General Strain Theory to examine the possible links between foster care outcomes and crime. Results show a significant relationship between key strains and criminal activity. Low self-esteem and poor life-skills also placed youngsters at risk of criminal activity. Qualitative interviews shed light on the human stories and help contribute to the literature on GST.

The strains of maternal imprisonment: Importation and deprivation stressors for women and children
Holly Foster

Maternal and intergenerational strains are identified from incarcerated mothers Maternal Importation and deprivation strains increase maternal health problems Importation and deprivation strains increase children's subjective weathering

Perceived injustice and delinquency: A test of general strain theory
Cesar J. Rebellon, Michelle E. Manasse, Karen T. Van Gundy, Ellen S. Cohn

Youth who perceive unfair treatment are more delinquent Anger mediates the relation between unfair treatment and delinquency Results persist net of controls for such variables as self-control

An uneven playing field: The impact of strain and coping skills on treatment outcomes for juvenile offenders
Miriam D. Sealock, Michelle Manasse

General strain theory's relevancy in the context of treatment program success. No direct effect of strain on post-treatment delinquency and drug use. Social coping skills had a negative direct effect on delinquency. Some coping skills mitigated the negative impact of strain and others intensified it. Coping skills influenced outcomes differently depending on pre-treatment strain levels.

The influence of occupational strain on organizational commitment among police: A general strain theory approach
Melissa M. Moon, Cheryl Lero Jonson

Dealing with the fall-Out: Identifying and addressing the role that relationship strain plays in the lives of girls in the juvenile justice system
Crystal A. Garcia, Jodi Lane

Girls, women and justice staff agree about what leads girls into trouble. There is clear evidence that relationship strain is a major problem for girls. There are three types of relationship strain: familial, love and frenemy strain. The type of relationship strain a girl experiences influences her coping behavior.