Layoffs and violence revisited

Extension of frustration-aggression theory suggests both the "provocation hypothesis" (laid-off workers are at elevated risk of psychogenic violence) and the "inhibition hypothesis" (workers who fear job loss will be at reduced risk of such violence). Previous research found that both hypotheses were supported with data indexing layoffs and the incidence of civil commitment for danger to others in San Francisco County, California, for the 52 weeks beginning August 1, 1993. Whether those results generalize to other times and places has not been determined. We elaborated the theory and replicated the test in San Francisco for the 149 weeks beginning August 1, 1994, and ending June 7, 1997. We also replicated the test using data from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, for the 111 weeks beginning January 1, 1996, and ending February 28, 1998. The original results from San Francisco County are replicated for men in both communities. The results for women are replicated for the new and more extended period in San Francisco County but not in Allegheny County. Scientific and social policy reasons for continued study of economic conditions on aggressive behavior are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 28:233-247, 2002. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.