ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how an individual’s genetic predisposition interacts with social strains to bring about delinquency and criminal behavior. Adolescents who engage in delinquent behaviors have a higher risk of adverse consequences at both individual and societal levels, including strained interpersonal relationships with one’s family and community, poor academic performance, and an increased risk of co-morbid mental health problems. Sociological theories exploring environmental contexts provide researchers with useful insight into the important role the environment can play in exacerbating genetic predispositions to delinquency. The researchers found that the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) genotype conferring low MAOA expression interacted with childhood maltreatment to predict antisocial behavior among their all-male sample. The serotonin system has been implicated in a variety of psychological behaviors and disorders, including externalizing and antisocial behaviors. Strain and interpersonal stress are driving forces in the prediction of crime and delinquency according to general strain theory.
