General Strain Theory Summary

Greco, R., & Curci, A. (2017). Does the General Strain Theory Explain Gambling and Substance Use?. Journal of gambling studies, 33(3), 919-936.

In “Does the General Strain Theory Explain Gambling and Substance Use,” Greco and Curci (2017) explored the correlation between The General Strain Theory (GST) and its prevalence among individuals partaking in gambling and substance use. In addition, Greco and Curci (2017) examined how the gambling and substance use histories of an individual’s family members can influence that person’s own ability to address life stressors in a productive manner. The data collected for this study was obtained from 262 families. This cohort included students enrolled in their first year of an entry level psychology

class along their family members. Responses were measured through questionnaires that were separated into five categories. Aside from demographics, the study focused on the previous three months of the participant’s life and the relativity and frequency of the following: the circumstances surrounding the strain, the feelings associated with the strain, gambling activities, and substance use. The findings by Greco and Curci (2017) indicated events associated with strain can lead to negative emotions. In turn, the likelihood of an individual participating in gambling or substance use increases compared to individuals who are not facing strain. Moreover, the research concluded that individuals, who have been subjected to family members engaging in gambling and substance use, present at a higher risk of also engaging in those same behaviors as a way to cope with life stressors. Subsequently, these individuals become exposed to the same negative emotions associated with those behaviors. In conclusion, Greco and Curci (2017) have made claim that both men and women who engage in deviant behavior such as gambling or substance use do so as a coping mechanism to deal with life stressors which is consistent with the premise of the General Strain Theory.