The Converging Effects of Psychopathic Traits and Victimization on Offending: A Partial Test of Agnew’s Extension of General Strain Theory

Although Agnew recently extended general strain theory (GST) to explain variation in reactions to strain, only a few studies have examined this thesis, finding limited support. Relying on a justice-involved sample, cross-lagged dynamic panel models are employed to examine the combined effects of psychopathic traits (reflecting criminal propensity) and victimization (as a key strain) on violent and property offending. Results show the independent impacts of psychopathic traits and victimization on criminal coping as well as the interactive effects of psychopathic traits and victimization on offending. These findings highlight the importance of criminal propensity and criminal victimization in criminal coping and provide evidence for the converging effects of both. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.