Abstract
This paper tests two competing hypotheses, derived from general strain and middle class measuring rod theories, regarding
the moderating effects of neighborhood disadvantage on the long-term relationship between adolescent negative self-feelings
and adult deviance. The results from longitudinal data support the middle class measuring rod theory: adolescent negative
self-feelings increase adult deviance only in middle status neighborhoods and not in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Furthermore, this effect in middle status neighborhoods is mediated by low expectations of the future in while still in adolescence.
Our findings show the importance of studying the combination of both the social psychological and the contextual influences
on deviance.
the moderating effects of neighborhood disadvantage on the long-term relationship between adolescent negative self-feelings
and adult deviance. The results from longitudinal data support the middle class measuring rod theory: adolescent negative
self-feelings increase adult deviance only in middle status neighborhoods and not in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Furthermore, this effect in middle status neighborhoods is mediated by low expectations of the future in while still in adolescence.
Our findings show the importance of studying the combination of both the social psychological and the contextual influences
on deviance.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-21
- DOI 10.1007/s12103-012-9178-y
- Authors
- Heili Pals, Sociology Department, University of Central Florida, Phillips Hall, Room 403, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816-1360, USA
- Howard B. Kaplan, Sociology Department, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 4351, College Station, TX 77843-4351, USA
- Journal American Journal of Criminal Justice
- Online ISSN 1936-1351
- Print ISSN 1066-2316