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Sexual frustration, murder, and violent crime: A direct assessment of incarcerated offenders

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  • Lankford, Adam
  • Evans, Hannah Rae

Abstract

Past research on sexual frustration and crime has focused almost entirely on sex offenders, incels, and mass killers. That work is valuable, but more can be learned by examining offenders of all types, including those who may be frustrated despite being sexually active. For this study, we surveyed 155 male offenders in a large jail in the United States about their life experiences with sexual frustration, aggression, and low self-control, and then matched their responses to crime data from their jail records. Quantitative tests showed the most sexually frustrated offenders reported significantly greater struggles with aggression and self-control. Offenders with higher sexual frustration scores were also significantly more likely to have been arrested for murder/attempted murder, or violent crimes in general, after controlling for demographics. These results provide preliminary support for a recently developed sexual frustration theory—along with theories on frustration-aggression, strain, self-control, and sexual selection—and raise important questions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Lankford, Adam & Evans, Hannah Rae, 2025. "Sexual frustration, murder, and violent crime: A direct assessment of incarcerated offenders," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:101:y:2025:i:c:s004723522500193x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102544
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lankford, Adam, 2021. "A sexual frustration theory of aggression, violence, and crime," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    2. Bruce Hoffman & Jacob Ware & Ezra Shapiro, 2020. "Assessing the Threat of Incel Violence," Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(7), pages 565-587, July.
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