The Role of Vicarious and Anticipated Strain on the Overlap of Violent Perpetration and Victimization: A Test of General Strain Theory

Egbert Zavala, Ryan E. Spohn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Numerous studies have documented a relationship between criminal offending and violent victimization. That is, people who commit criminal behavior are also more likely to be victimized. As such, criminological theories traditionally used to explain criminal behavior have now been applied to explain victimization. The current study examines whether Agnew's general strain theory can explain the offender-victim overlap using a nationally representative sample of males. Results show that vicarious strain is positive and significant in predicting both victimization and perpetration. Anticipated strain was found only to be significant and positive in predicting victimization, but not perpetration. The study's limitations and future research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)119-140
Number of pages22
JournalAmerican Journal of Criminal Justice
Volume38
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2013

Keywords

  • Anticipated strain
  • General strain theory
  • Vicarious strain
  • Victim-offender overlap

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Law

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