International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 1–26 © The Author(s) 2016 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0306624X16642810 ijo.sagepub.com Article The Effect of Sexual Abuse on Deviant Behaviors Among Turkish Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Emotions Ozgur Solakoglu 1 , Nichola Driver 2 , and Scott H. Belshaw 3 Abstract Drawing from Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory, the purpose of this study is to examine the effect of sexual abuse on deviant behaviors, such as suicide, smoking, drinking, drug use, violent crime, and property crime, among Turkish adolescents. The article also aims to understand the mediating role of negative emotions, including depression and anger, as well as gender differences in this relationship. Findings from a series of analyses demonstrate that the experience of sexual abuse is significantly related to the likelihood of engaging in most of the deviant behaviors. In addition, the mediating role of negative emotions, particularly anger, was highlighted in the findings. Furthermore, the effect of sexual abuse on deviant behaviors was relatively greater for Turkish males compared with Turkish females. The current study contributes to the literature on the consequences of sexual abuse by considering them within the unique Islamic–Western cultural context of Turkey. Overall, findings suggest that this particular form of strain has a substantial impact on deviant behaviors among Turkish adolescents. Keywords deviant behavior, sexual abuse, General Strain Theory, Turkish adolescents 1 Turkish Military Academy, Ankara, Turkey 2 Sociology Department, University of North Texas, Denton, USA 3 Criminal Justice Department, University of North Texas, Denton, USA Corresponding Author: Ozgur Solakoglu, Turkish Military Academy, Devlet Mah. Kara Harp Okulu Cd., Ankara 06654, Turkey. Email: ozgursolakoglu@gmail.com 642810IJO XX X 10.1177/0306624X16642810International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologySolakoglu et al. research-article 2016 by guest on April 13, 2016 ijo.sagepub.com Downloaded from