Deviant Labels, Negative Emotions, and Secondary Deviance: Integrating Labeling and Strain Perspectives
Prior scholarship has identified deviant identity, deviant peer groups, and limited pro-social opportunities as the primary mechanisms through which being labeled deviant relates to secondary deviance. This study extends labeling theory by considering negative emotions as an additional mechanism through which being labeled deviant may increase secondary deviance, thus integrating labeling and general strain theoretical perspectives. Data from Add Health (N = 13,570) are used to test if negative emotions mediate the relationships between deviant labels and deviant behaviors. Results show that being labeled deviant by parents and schools increases the odds binge drinking, marijuana use, and delinquency. Furthermore, results show that each of these relationships is partially mediated by negative emotions. This study advances labeling theory by establishing negative emotions as a potential mediator for labeling-deviance relationships. Implications for future research that further extends labeling theory by incorporating other aspects of general strain theory are discussed.