한국 청소년들을 대상으로 한 수정된 고전긴장이론 검증

Abstract

Replicating Agnew and his colleagues’ (1996) study in South Korean contexts, this study explored the applicability of Merton’s (1938) classic strain theory to a nationally representative sample of South Korean high school students. Using two waves of a longitudinal study data, Korean Youth Panel Survey (KYPS), this study constructed a negative binomial regression model to deal with the highly skewed dependent variables. The results showed mixed support for the theory. Measured in terms of the discrepancy between occupational aspirations and expectations, strain showed no relationship with delinquency. When strain was directly measured in terms of dissatisfaction and frustration with immediate financial conditions, monetary strain positively predicted both utilitarian delinquency (a composite measure of robbery, larceny, and prostitution)and substance abuse (a composite measure of smoking and drinking). Those results arrived at the same conclusions as Agnew et al.’s. Given the unique cultural context of South Korea, where education takes on inordinate importance, educational strain was also taken into consideration. However, findings indicatedthat educational strain decreases, rather than increases, delinquency.