General Strain Theory and Continuity in Offending Over Time: Assessing and Extending GST Explanations of Persistence

Abstract

In 1997, Agnew stated that “new strain theories . . . should be part of any developmental theory of crime” and that “these theories point to new sources of stability and change in crime over the life course, and better help organize existing arguments in this area”; however, strain theory explanations of individual patterns of offending over the life span have garnered little attention, especially with regard to stability. This article addresses this void by assessing general strain theory (GST) explanations of persistent offending. Specifically, the author outlines the stability promoting mechanisms described by Agnew and assesses their empirical basis. Then, drawing on the sociology of stress, the author extends Agnew’s work and describes two additional ways that GST can explain persistence: past exposure to stressors and stress proliferation. These extensions move away from a reliance on trait-based explanations and instead view continuity as rooted in individual histories, dynamic processes, and social structure.