ASSESSING THE GENERALITY OF GENERAL STRAIN THEORY: THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG OCCUPATIONAL STRESS EXPERIENCED BY MALE POLICE OFFICERS AND DOMESTIC FORMS OF VIOLENCE

ABSTRACT

Agnew's (1992) General Strain Theory (GST) is one of the more recent advances in criminological theory. This study explores the generality of GST using a sample of 596 Baltimore, Maryland male police officers that variably report engaging in domestic forms of violence. Logistic and OLS regression analyses indicate that occupational strain has an indirect relationship with domestic violence through negative affective measures of anger and depression. Strain/negative affect-alleviating factors, i.e., social support and spiritual coping, did not have an effect on domestic violence. Overall, the relationships among variables lend support for the theory even when controls are considered. Limitations of the study and directions for future research on GST and police officer strain are discussed.