Deviant Behavior

Eitle, David; Taylor, John

doi: 10.1080/01639620903415992pmid: N/A

This article extends Agnew's General Strain Theory (GST) in two ways: (a) by testing the model's utility in explaining gambling behavior and (b) by considering the role of BIS/BAS sensitivities as a potential moderator of the strain–gambling association. Drawing on Agnew and colleagues' (2002) call for considering personality traits as potential conditional variables for testing GST, we evaluate these extensions using data from a representative community sample of young adult males from South Florida. Results indicate that GST is a capable explanation of gambling behaviors generally, and that BIS/BAS sensitivities appear to condition the relationship between various strains and gambling behaviors.

Pruitt, Matthew V.; Krull, Amy C.

doi: 10.1080/01639620903416123pmid: N/A

Sociologists have devoted limited attention to investigating reasons for male patronage of female prostitutes. To date this research has largely been comprised of non-representative samples of clients. We expand sociological inquiry of this question through a content analysis of the advertisements of 237 female Internet escorts who advertise on a large, national-in-scope (U.S.A.) website. Our findings largely complement those of previous studies that have examined this topic via interviews with clients or prostitutes as well as those of studies that analyzed johns' postings on Internet websites. Offerings of “Girl Friend Experiences,” unrushed encounters, and escort-type services are more common than offerings of anal sex, S&M, B&D, and fetish services. We also discuss the impact of the Internet on the structure of one of society's oldest institutions.

Childs, Kristina K.; Sullivan, Christopher J.; Gulledge, Laura M.

doi: 10.1080/01639621003748498pmid: N/A

This study examines the impact of changes in the influence of several individual-level constructs (e.g., risk-seeking, family, peers, attitudes) on involvement in substance use and delinquent behavior during mid to late adolescence. Data were drawn from the longitudinal evaluation of the Gang Resistance, Education, and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program. The final pooled time series samples used in the analyses were n = 2,515 in the delinquency model (original sample: n = 847) and n = 2,250 in the substance use model (original sample: n = 849). Fixed effects negative binomial modeling indicated that: (1) changes in risk-seeking, parental and peer influences, and attitudes are significantly related to the frequency of self-reported delinquency and substance use and (2) similar risk factors, drawn from multiple domains, influence the likelihood of greater involvement in both delinquency and substance use during mid to late adolescence. Findings highlight the importance of considering a variety of dynamic processes during adolescence and their potential changing influence on deviant behaviors.