Controlling Delinquency: Recommendations From General Strain Theory (From Crime and Public Policy: Putting Theory to Work, P 43-70, 1995, Hugh D Barlow, ed. - See NCJ-163416)

• NCJ Number: 163420
• Author(s): R Agnew
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 28 pages
• Sale Source: Westview Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The application of general strain theory to juvenile delinquency prevention suggests the need for programs that reduce the extent to which individuals are negatively treated by others.

Abstract

General strain theory focuses on negative relationships with others and suggest that the resulting anger and frustration may lead to juvenile delinquency. Although none of the programs are explicitly based on strain theory, they deal with three major types of strain noted in general strain theory. They try to increase the likelihood that youth will be able to achieve positively valued goals, reduce the likelihood that youth will lose valued possessions such as friends, and reduce the extent to which individual are exposed to negative stimuli such as verbal and physical abuse. The programs include family-based programs, school-based programs, and peer and individual programs. Some programs teach problemsolving, anger control, and other strategies for coping through nondelinquent methods. The programs all have shown some signs of success, although they need further evaluation and are not a solution to the problem of delinquency. 89 references