Evaluating Three Models of Delinquency Causation for Males and Females - Strain Theory, Subculture Theory, and Control Theory

• NCJ Number: 97377
• Journal: Sociological Focus Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1985) Pages: 1-17
• Author(s): J O Segrave; D N Hastad
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the extent to which variables derived from strain, subculture, and control theories may be used in conjunction with one another in order to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the etiology of delinquency among both males and females.

Abstract

Self-report data obtained from a sample of 891 male and 885 female high school students indicated that (1) strain, subculture, and control theories served to explain significant, though small, proportions of the variance in male and female delinquency; (2) the subculture model variables accounted for the most unique variance in male and female delinquency involvement; and (3) the combined effects of all three models accounted for more variance than each of the models considered independently among both males and females. The path analysis model developed indicated that the influenece of the strain model variables on delinquency were largely indirect through their effect on the subculture and control model variables. The path model assigned primary significance to the subculture model variables and showed identical etiological pathways to delinquency involvement among both males and females. The results of this study suggest that (1) seemingly unrelated theoretical models can be employed in concert with one another to significantly improve our understanding of the processes leading to delinquency; and (2) theories of delinquency are not merely theories of male deviance. (Publisher abstract)