Victimization, negative emotions, and substance use: Variability in general strain theory processes by marriage and relationship quality

Abstract

General strain theory maintains that the likelihood that individuals engage in deviance to cope with negative emotions is conditioned by several factors, including social support. Yet, this tenet of the theory receives mixed support and few have considered factors important to life course theorists as moderators. Using data from Add Health ( N = 10,044), this study uses moderated-mediation techniques to examine if relationships between victimization as a source of strain and recent substance use are mediated by negative emotions, and the extent to which processes are moderated by marital status and relationship quality. Supporting general strain theory, findings show that the relationship between victimization and recent substance use was mediated by negative emotions. Results also provide evidence of moderated-mediation as the partial relationship between negative emotions and recent substance use varied by marital status.