| Agnew's (1992) general theory of strain was tested among a sample of incarcerated, adult Kentuckians. Specifically, antisocial behavior was hypothesized to manifest both externally (i.e. depression, attempted suicide) and internally (i.e. fighting, violence). Sources of strain included prior physical and emotional abuse, juvenile detention, and reports of employment and family problems. Negative affective states were measured using a life satisfaction index derived from Paloutzian and Ellison's (1982) spiritual well-being scale. Logistic regression and path analysis techniques were used to analyze data gathered as part of the Health Services Use by Chronic Rural Drug Offenders project at the University of Kentucky. |
Updated 05/20/2006