Strain Theory And Crime Essay

Many people that are not directly affected by mental illness do not fully understand strains in the same manner. Mentally ill persons must navigate the negative social stigma, their symptoms, and strains from social rejection, discrimination, and life stressors. Agnew (2001) states, “The precise relationship between strain and crime is a function of the characteristics of both the strain and the people experiencing the strain” (pp. 347). Due to an increase of negative emotions that may be present, this explains how strain theory increases crime in mentally ill person’s lives. In order to decrease the effects of strain on mental health crime, Agnew (2001) suggested two policy recommendations: “Reduce the exposure of individuals to strain and reduce the likelihood that individuals will cope with strain through crime” (pp. 352).This can be accomplished by slowly changing the mental health stigma. Society can no longer in good conscious continue to reject those with mental illness, even if it isn’t understood. We only hurt ourselves if we socially outcast these individual and it creates further crime. More resources for mental illness should be present within our communities in order to reduce strain. Social groups should be constructed in order to provide these people support and a connection to the public. …show more content…
Feldman & Crandall (2007) state that mentally ill individuals are affected by two categories of strain: “one being, their direct effects of the disorders-cognitive, affective, and behavioral difficulties that limit one’s ability to function effectively. Second being, social rejection, interpersonal disruption, and a fractured identity that comes from the stigma of mental illness” (pp. 138). These strains alone cause a great deal of stress and show how crime is a possible response for mentally ill persons to find relief or a world that will accept