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Article
The Role of Vicarious and Anticipated Strain on the Overlap of Violent Perpetration and Victimization: A Test of General Strain Theory
American Journal of Criminal Justice
  • Egbert Zavala, University of Texas at El Paso
  • Ryan E Spohn, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2013
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.

Comments

Published in American Journal of Criminal Justice, Vol. 38, No. 1 (March 2013), pp. 120-140. © 2012 Southern Criminal Justice Association. Published by Springer Verlag, original published version is available at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12103-012-9163-5. Used by permission.

Citation Information
Egbert Zavala and Ryan E Spohn. "The Role of Vicarious and Anticipated Strain on the Overlap of Violent Perpetration and Victimization: A Test of General Strain Theory" American Journal of Criminal Justice Vol. 38 Iss. 1 (2013) p. 119 - 140
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ryan_spohn/10/