General Strain Theory

Abstract

General strain theory (GST) states that certain strains or stressors, such as physical abuse and economic problems, increase the likelihood of crime. These strains lead to negative emotions, including anger and frustration. These negative emotions create pressure for corrective action: individuals feel bad and want to do something about it. Crime is one possible coping mechanism. Individuals may turn to crime to reduce or escape from their strain. They may engage in crime to obtain revenge against the source of their strain or related targets. And they may engage in illicit drug use to alleviate their negative emotions. Some individuals, however, are more likely than others to cope with strains through crime. Criminal coping is said to be most likely among those who have poor coping skills and resources, have few conventional social supports, are low in social control, associate with criminal others, hold beliefs favorable to criminal coping, and are in situations where the costs of crime are low and the benefits are high. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)