Social Isolation, Strain, and Youth Violence

Citation

Niño, Michael; Ignatow, Gabe; & Cai, Tianji (2017). Social Isolation, Strain, and Youth Violence. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice. vol. 15 (3) pp. 299-313

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between types of social isolation and violent delinquency. Deriving hypotheses from elements of general strain theory, we test whether the isolation–violence relationship varies across different types of isolated youth when compared to sociable youth. We also test whether other negative experiences and circumstances (types of social strain) associated with adolescence moderate the relationship between isolation types and violent delinquency. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we find that different types of social isolation had varying effects on violent delinquency. Socially disinterested youth show a greater capacity for violent behavior, but other types of marginalized youth showed no difference in violence when compared to sociable youth. Results also demonstrate that some types of strain moderate the isolation–violence relationship. The implications of these findings for research on peer relations, adolescent strain, and violence are discussed.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1177%2F1541204016636435

Keyword(s)

Social isolation

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice

Author(s)

Niño, Michael
Ignatow, Gabe
Cai, Tianji

Year Published

2017

Volume Number

15

Issue Number

3

Pages

299-313

Edition

March 10, 2016

DOI

10.1177/1541204016636435

Reference ID

9248