Abstract
This study proposes a new integrated theory of general offending (strain, impulse, and selfishness theory) and tests the theory in relation to general future offending, future property offending, and future violent offending. Strain, impulse, and selfishness theory posits the 3 following arguments: Experiencing strain, impulse, or selfishness is associated with offending. If a person experiences the interaction between two of these three elements, it makes them more likely to commit crimes than experiencing only one of the elements. Lastly, experiencing the interaction of all three elements makes a person more likely to commit offenses than if they were only experiencing one or two of the elements. A survey was conducted with a sample of 511 adults. Factor analyses were conducted to see if low self-control and impulse as well as impulse and selfishness are measuring different things. They showed that impulse is different from both low self-control and selfishness. Correlations were conducted to see if experiencing strain, impulse, or selfishness is associated with offending, which showed that all three are associated with offending. Negative binomial regressions were conducted to test the interaction effects of strain, impulse, and selfishness theory on general future offending and future property offending. The regressions provide insight into the associations, showing strong support for selfishness across three types of offending, impulse for general future offending and future property offending, and some support for strain across three types of offending. The interaction between any of these three elements is not associated with general future offending or future property offending. Logistic regressions testing the interactions between two or three of the theory’s elements on future violent offending show that the interaction between strain and impulse is significantly associated with future violent offending. Overall, this study does not show strong support for the theory. It is recommended to retest strain, impulse, and selfishness theory with an adolescent sample.