Incidents of discrimination and risk for delinquency: A longitudinal test of strain theory with an African American sample *

Authors: Simons, Ronald¹; Chen, Yi-Fu¹; Stewart, Eric²; Brody, Gene¹

Source: Justice Quarterly, Volume 20, Number 4, December 2003 , pp. 827-854(28)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This article examines the relationship between racial discrimination and delinquency. Using longitudinal data collected on approximately 700 African American children, we begin by establishing an association between exposure to discrimination and delinquent behavior. Next, we use structural equation modeling to test various hypotheses regarding the emotional and cognitive factors that mediate this association. For boys, the association between discrimination and delinquency is mediated by feelings of anger and depression and by the belief that aggression is a necessary interpersonal tactic. The results are somewhat different for girls. Although anger and depression mediate part of the effect of discrimination on delinquency, discrimination continues to display a small but significant direct effect. The implications of these findings for criminological theory are discussed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07418820300095711

Affiliations: 1: University of Georgia 2: Georgia State University

Publication date: 2003-12-01