Perceived injustice and delinquency: A test of general strain theory

PurposeWhile a growing body of empirical literature supports many key predictions of General Strain Theory (GST), the subjective perception of injustice remains a theoretically important but empirically under-researched type of strain. The present study therefore examines the relations among perceived injustice, anger, and rule-violation.MethodsUsing a sample of middle- and high-school students from 12 schools in Southern New Hampshire, the present study tests GST via a series of OLS, negative binomial, and structural equation analyses using a more precise measure of perceived injustice than prior work and extensive statistical controls for such variables as self-control, differential association, attitudes toward delinquency, and alternative strain measures in a longitudinal context.ResultsResults yield strong support for the notions that perceived injustice promotes delinquency and that this relationship is mediated by situational anger.ConclusionsPerceived injustice appears to be an important type of strain that should be incorporated into future research and addressed by future delinquency prevention efforts.

► Youth who perceive unfair treatment are more delinquent
► Anger mediates the relation between unfair treatment and delinquency
► Results persist net of controls for such variables as self-control