Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Test of General Strain Theory on Police Officers’ Turnover Intention

  • Published:
Asian Journal of Criminology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Contrary to extensive empirical tests of Agnew’s (Criminology, 30, 47–87, 1992) general strain theory (GST), little research has been applied to explaining organizational behaviors. Employing data from South Korean police officers, this study examined the relationship between police officers’ occupational strain and their turnover intention. More specifically, the current study investigated the mediating effects of negative emotions on the relationship between occupational strain and intention to resign, as well as the buffering effects of social support on the pathways linking strain, negative emotions, and turnover intention. Overall, the findings indicated that GST’s core propositions can be applied to a police occupational setting. Two of the three types of negative emotions had significant mediating effects on the linkage between strain and turnover intention as a non-deviant coping behavior. Furthermore, the results also provided partial support for the moderating role of social support, as GST posited. Theoretical and policy implication are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a general strain theory of crime and delinquency. Criminology, 30, 47–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agnew, R. (2006). Pressured into crime: An overview of general strain theory. Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aseltine, R. H., Jr., Gore, S., & Gordon, J. (2000). Life stress, anger, and anxiety, and delinquency: an empirical test of general strain theory. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 41, 256–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayley, D. H. (1985). Patterns of policing: A comparative international analysis. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brezina, T. (1998). Adolescent maltreatment and delinquency: the question of intervening processes. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 35, 71–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broidy, L. M. (2001). A test of general strain theory. Criminology, 39, 9–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broidy, L., & Agnew, R. (1997). Gender and crime: a general strain theory perspective. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 34, 275–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capowich, G. E., Mazerolle, P., & Piquero, A. (2001). General strain theory, situational anger, and social networks: an assessment of conditioning influences. Journal of Criminal Justice, 29, 445–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, C., & Kwok, S. (1998). Social studies and ideological beliefs in mainland China and Hong Kong. Social Psychology of Education, 2, 217–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corsianos, M. (2003). Discretion in detectives’ decision making and ‘high profile’ cases. Police Practice and Research, 4(3), 301–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortina, J. M., Doherty, M. L., Schmitt, N., Kaufman, G., & Smith, R. G. (1992). The “big five” personality factors in the IPA and MMPI: predictors of police performance. Personnel Psychology, 45, 119–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cullen, F. T., Lemming, T., Link, B. G., & Wozniak, J. F. (1985). The impact of social supports on police stress. Criminology, 23, 503–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalessio, A., Silverman, W., & Schuck, J. (1986). Paths to turnover: a re-analysis and review of existing data on the Mobley, Horner, and Hollingsworth’s turnover model. Human Relations, 39, 245–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drew, J., Carless, S. A., & Thompson, B. M. (2008). Predicting turnover of police officers using the sixteen personality factor questionnaire. Journal of Criminal Justice, 36, 326–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, C. L., Swatt, M. L., & Jolicoeur, J. (2001). Assessing the generality of general strain theory: the relationship among occupational stress experienced by male police officers and domestic forms of violence. Journal of Crime and Justice, 24, 29–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E., & Tatham, R. L. (2005). Multivariate data analysis (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, L. M., & Baldwin, J. N. (1999). Voluntary turnover of field operations officers: a test of confluency theory. Journal of Criminal Justice, 27, 483–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hickman, M. J., Piquero, A. R., & Greene, J. R. (2000). Discretion and gender disproportionality in police disciplinary systems. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 23, 105–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, V. (1982). The development of modern police agencies in the Republic of Korea and Japan: a paradox. Police Studies, 5, 3–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horton, R., Rice, S. K., Piquero, N. L., & Piquero, A. R. (2012). On the variability of anger cross-culturally: an assessment of general strain theory’s primary mediator. Deviant Behavior, 33, 260–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House, J. S. (1981). Work stress and social support. Reading: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, A. J. (1985). Private, parochial, and public social orders: The problem of crime and incivility in urban communities. In G. Suttles & M. N. Zald (Eds.), The challenge of social control: Citizenship and institution building in modern society (pp. 230–242). Norwood: Alex Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivkovic, S. K., & Kang, W. (2012). Police integrity in South Korea. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 35, 76–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James, S., & Hendry, B. (1991). The money or the job: the decision to leave policing. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 24, 169–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, S. J. (2007). Gender differences in strain, negative emotions, and coping behaviors: a general strain theory approach. Justice Quarterly, 24, 523–553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, S. J., & Johnson, B. R. (2003). Strain, negative emotions, and deviant coping among African Americans: a test of general strain theory. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 19, 79–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, S. J., & Johnson, B. R. (2005). Gender, religiosity, and reactions to strain among African Americans. Sociological Quarterly, 46, 323–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, S. J., & Lyons, J. A. (2006). Strain, social support, and retreatism among African Americans. Journal of Black Studies, 37, 251–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaramillo, F., Nixon, R., & Sams, D. (2005). The effect of law enforcement stress on organizational commitment. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 28, 321–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D., Jones, L., & Prenzler, T. (2005). Tertiary education, commitment, and turnover in police work. Police Practice and Research, 6, 49–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, E. G. (2007). A test of a turnover intent model: The issue of correctional staff satisfaction and commitment. In D. E. Duffee & E. R. Maguire (Eds.), Criminal justice theory (pp. 223–255). New York: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laub, J. H., Nagin, D. S., & Sampson, R. J. (1998). Trajectories of change in criminal offending: good marriages and the desistance process. American Sociological Review, 63, 225–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, P., & Maahs, J. (2000). General strain and delinquency: an alternative examination of conditioning influences. Justice Quarterly, 17, 753–778.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, P., & Piquero, A. (1998). Linking exposure to strain with anger: an investigation of deviant adaptations. Journal of Criminal Justice, 26, 195–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, P., Burton, V. S., Cullen, F. T., Evans, T. D., & Payne, G. L. (2000). Strain, anger, and delinquent adaptations specifying general strain theory. Journal of Criminal Justice, 28, 89–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, B. (2003). The politicization of police in South Korea: a critical review. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 27, 128–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, B., & Hwang, E. (2004). The reasons for choosing a career in policing among South Korean police cadets. Journal of Criminal Justice, 32, 223–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, B., & Jonson, C. L. (2012). The influence of occupational strain on organizational commitment among police: a general strain theory approach. Journal of Criminal Justice, 40, 249–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, B., Hwang, H., & McCluskey, J. D. (2011). Causes and school bullying: empirical test of a general strain theory of crime, differential association theory, and general strain theory. Crime & Delinquency, 57, 849–877.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morash, M., Lee, C., Hoffman, V., Cho, S. H., & Haarr, R. (2006). Predictors of social and defensive coping to address workplace stressors: a comparison of police in South Korea and the United States. International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, 30, 149–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nalla, M. K., & Kang, W. (2012). Organizational climate, perceived citizen support, and job satisfaction of police officers: findings from the post-grand reform era in South Korea. Asian Criminology, 7, 153–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ngo, F. T., & Paternoster, R. (2013). Stalking, gender, and coping strategies: a partial test of Broidy and Agnew’s gender/general strain theory hypotheses. Victims & Offenders, 8, 94–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paternoster, R., & Mazerolle, P. (1994). General strain theory: a replication and extension. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 31, 235–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paternoster, R., Mazerolle, P., & Piquero, A. (1998). Using the correct statistical test for the equality of regression coefficients. Criminology, 36, 859–866.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pino, N. W., & Wiatrowski, M. D. (2006). The principles of democratic policing. In N. Pino & M. D. Watrowski (Eds.), Democratic policing in transactional and developing countries (pp. 43–97).

  • Piquero, N. L. (2005). Understanding police stress and coping resources across gender: A look toward general strain theory. In H. Copes (Ed.), Policing and stress (pp. 126–139). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piquero, N. L., & Sealock, M. D. (2000). Generalizing general strain theory: an examination of an offending population. Justice Quarterly, 17, 449–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piquero, N. L., & Sealock, M. D. (2004). Gender and general strain theory: a preliminary test of Broidy and Agnew’s gender/GST hypotheses. Justice Quarterly, 21, 125–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price, J. L. (1977). The study of turnover. Ames: Iowa State University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbers, M. L. (2004). Revisiting the moderating role of social support gendered test. Sociological Inquiry, 74, 546–569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., Guardia, J. G. L., Solky-Butzel, J., Chirkov, V., & Kim, Y. (2005). On the interpersonal regulation of emotions: emotional reliance across gender, relationships, and cultures. Personal Relationships, 12, 145–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, R. D., Hill, T. D., Haynes, S. H., & Bradley, C. (2011). Physical health and crime among low-income urban women: an application of general strain theory. Journal of Criminal Justice, 39, 21–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sin, Y. G. (2007). Survey of police officers’ perception on crime investigation. Seoul, South Korea: Korean Institute of Criminology, provided by Korean Social Science Data Archive (2008), (A1-2007-0008).

  • Spielberger, C. D., Johnson, E. H., Russell, S. F., & Crane, R. J. (1985). The experience and expression of anger: Construction and validation of an anger expression scale. In M. A. Chesney & R. H. Rosenman (Eds.), Anger and hostility in cardiovascular and behavioral disorders (pp. 5–30). Washington, DC: Hemisphere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steel, R., & Griffeth, R. (1989). A review and meta-analysis of research on the relationship between behavioral intentions and employee turnover. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 673–686.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swatt, M. L., Gibson, C. L., & Piquero, N. L. (2007). Exploring the utility of general strain theory in explaining problematic alcohol consumption by police officers. Journal of Criminal Justice, 35, 596–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E., Sherman, D. K., Kim, H. S., Jarcho, J., Takagi, K., & Dunagan, M. S. (2004). Culture and social support: who seeks it and why? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 354–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tittle, C. R., Broidy, L. M., & Gertz, M. G. (2008). Strain, crime, and contingencies. Justice Quarterly, 25, 283–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, T. R. (1990). Why people obey the law. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yun, I., Kim, S., Jung, S., & Borhanian, S. (2013). A study on police stressors, coping strategies, and somatization symptoms among South Korean frontline police officers. Policing, 36, 787–802.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA

    Hee S. Shim & Larry T. Hoover

  2. Department of Criminal Justice, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, NY, USA

    Youngoh Jo

Authors
  1. Hee S. Shim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Youngoh Jo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Larry T. Hoover
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hee S. Shim.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 4 Comparison table for demographic variables between current sample and whole population of police officers
Full size table
Table 5 Items used for analysis
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shim, H.S., Jo, Y. & Hoover, L.T. A Test of General Strain Theory on Police Officers’ Turnover Intention. Asian Criminology 10, 43–62 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11417-015-9208-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11417-015-9208-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation