Support, coercion, and delinquency: testing aspects of an emerging theory

Abstract

This research tests aspects of differential social support and coercion theory of crime as proposed by Colvin, Cullen and Vander Ven (2002). The theory argues social interactions, either coercive or supportive, figure into development of self-control, delinquent behavior, and mental health. Coercive interactions involve force, direct and indirect intimidation and violence that compel compliance out of fear or anxiety. Coercive interactions can be employed consistently or erratically and individuals that are disciplined in an erratic manner will tend to develop strong anger directed toward others, low self-control, and weak alienated social bonds. These individuals are likely to become chronic offenders. Individuals that receive consistent coercion develop strong self-directed anger, high-externalized self-control, and weak social bonds. These individuals will have minimal legal difficulties, but are likely to have persistent mental health problems Social supports can also be erratic or consistent in nature. According to the theory, erratic social supports will generally result in low-self control, moderate anger, and intermediate social bonds. These individuals may engage in criminal behavior depending on the access to illegitimate social supports offered by criminals. Individuals that receive consistent support will have low anger, high-internalized self-control, and strong social bonds. These individuals are likely to display few criminal behaviors and possess high levels of pro-social behaviors (Colvin, Cullen and Vander Ven, 2002). Data are drawn from the 1995 National Survey of Adolescents (NSA), to examine the connection between support and coercion on delinquent behavior. Results indicate support for the theory among NSA participants as evidenced by Logistic Regression Analysis and we discus broader implications of the theory for criminal justice responses to juvenile offending.

Keywords::

• delinquency
• support
• coercion
• strain

Notes

^1. Logistic regression analysis has no assumptions regarding distributions of independent variable but these variables cannot have high correlations with each other because of impact of model estimation. In the current study no independent or control variables in models display high bivariate correlation. The two forms of support have an acceptable bivariate correlation of .320 and all other variables have correlations below .10. These models also require larger sample sizes, particularly when testing multiple independent and control variable. As with all regression analysis, logistic models assume that all important extraneous variables are included and no important variables are missing, and that variables are accurately measured. Logistic regression also assumes independence in observations. For a detailed discussion of logistic regression assumptions see Hosmer and Lemeshow (2000) and Menard (1995).

^2. The cross-sectional nature of data means it is not possible to determine the casual ordering for some of the theoretically important variables and juvenile offending. Therefore, we use caution when interpreting these findings.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Don L. Kurtz

Don Kurtz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at Kansas State University. His research interests include police stress, youth violence, strain theory, and the influence of support and coercion on delinquency. He is recently published in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Feminist Criminology, Criminal Justice Review, and Women and Criminal Justice among others. Prior to pursuing an academic career, Dr. Kurtz was employed as a social worker in the juvenile justice system.

Travis Linnemann

Travis Linnemann is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University. His research concerns the cultural politics of drug control and the reciprocities between the ‘war on drugs’ and ‘war on terror.’ His work has appeared in the academic journals Critical Criminology, Theoretical Criminology, Crime Media and Culture and British Journal of Criminology among others.

Edward Green

Edward L.W. Green, a Ph.D. student in sociology at Kansas State University, specializes in criminology and rural development. He is actively engaged in prison ethnography, cultural criminology, and the study of regional resource extraction. More specifically, he is interested in the relationship between the state and its citizens, currently focusing on identity and spatial dynamics at the confluence of cultural, sociopolitical, and correctional settings in non-urban areas. His most recent work includes ‘The Weight of the Gavel: The Liminal Moment of a Life Sentence.’