Testing an integrated model of crime: Traditional and general strain, differential association, and control theories

Theories of criminal behavior have been tested individually and in integrated models incorporating multiple theories. Using data from the National Youth Survey Wave VII (1987), an integrated model incorporating traditional strain, differential association, and control theories is tested. Results show that each theory alone is a significant predictor of criminal behavior. Also, the integrated model enhances explanatory power of criminal behavior, over that of each individual theory. General strain theory (GST) variables are then added into the integrated model. In fact, this thesis is the first study, using young adults, that tests for the effects of multiple GST variables on actual property and violent crime commission, while controlling for differential association, social control, and traditional strain. Results show that inclusion of GST not only increases the model's predictive utility for understanding criminal behavior, but also that GST is the best predictor of violent crime among the several theories considered.