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Adaptation of Theory for Alternative Cultural Contexts: Agnew's General Strain Theory in South Korea

To model the relationship between strains and delinquency in a non-Western national context, the present study integrated information on adolescence in South Korea with prior theoretical and empirical work on general strain theory (GST) to explain delinquency. The sample included just under 400 adolescents in technical and college preparatory high schools in South Korea. Two types of strain, examination related strain and emotional and physical abuse by teachers, which are usually ignored in studies in the United States, are included as independent variables to increase relevance to the South Korean context. Parts of GST are very useful in explaining delinquency: (1) there is a relatively strong direct relationship between emotional and physical abuse by teachers and delinquency and (2) the interaction between emotional and physical abuse by teachers and delinquent friends is strongly related to delinquency. The efficacy of teachers' use of practices defined in the study as emotional and physical abuse, even if these practices are intended to help youth, is highly questionable. The culturally specific adaptation of general strain theory increases theoretical generalizablility and suggests a direction for theory and research in different countries. Relevant to recent trends in immigration throughout the world, the reformulation also suggests the need to consider different cultural contexts within the United States and other countries.