Moving Beyond Anger and Depression: The Effects of Anxiety and Envy on Maladaptive Coping

ABSTRACT

According to general strain theory (GST), life stressors, or strains, lead to different types of negative emotions, some of which increase the likelihood of maladaptive coping. A considerable body of research testing GST focuses on anger and depression as manifestations of negative emotionality. Less research considers other types of negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and envy). The current study addresses this void in the literature through the use of surveys administered to a university-based sample. We also consider whether the effects of negative emotions vary by sex. The implications of our findings for theory, research, and mental health providers are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• General strain theory
• maladaptive coping
• college student stress
• gender
• offending

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ana Z. Daniels

ANA Z. DANIELS is a doctoral student in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. Her research interests include criminological theory, intersections in race/ethnicity, class and gender, and quantitative methods. She holds degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University (M.S., 2015) and Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (B.A., 2011).

Kristy Holtfreter

KRISTY HOLTFRETER is a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Faculty Affiliate in the Women and Gender Studies Program at Arizona State University. She received her Ph.D. in 2004 from Michigan State University. Her research has appeared in a variety of scholarly journals, including Criminology, Journal of Research in Crime & Delinquency, Justice Quarterly, and Criminal Justice & Behavior.