The main aim of this study is to explain adolescent offending variety by their parental country of birth. In doing so, the independent effect size and proportion of variance of two core elements of Situational Action Theory (SAT) – propensity and lifestyle risk – on offending variety are examined by immigrant background and gender. Although previous studies produced plenty of support to key assumption of SAT, no study so far measured offending variety as dependent variable. Analyses are based on self-reported data collected for Malmö Individual and Neighborhood Development Study (MINDS) during 2011-12, when the adolescent attained the age between 16 and 17. Ordinary least square (OLS) regression is run to examine the magnitude of effect and proportion of variance. Strong relation of offending variety separately with propensity and lifestyle risk was identified. Contrary to current scholarship on immigrant crime in Sweden, adolescent with immigrant parents are found at no more risk to engage in self-reported delinquency than the natives. Gender difference remains as a strong predictor of offending variety, especially for the immigrant group. This research reveals similarities in magnitude of effects of criminal propensity and lifestyle risks on offending variety, regardless of adolescents’ parental country of birth. Yet, propensity is a stronger predictor for delinquency variety than the lifestyle risks. This confirms applicability of the core elements of SAT, regardless of adolescents’ parental country of birth.

No description available.

This study consisted of a social network analysis based on public verdicts with evidence from the encrypted service EncroChat. The aim of this study was to investigate different aspects within the network. The study related to two theories: differential association and social organization. Through the method of network analysis, the results showed that the data has many levels and that the network formation may shift appearance depending on analyzing perspective. It concludes that network leaders presented by the prosecutor do not have a central position according to the graphs and that women in the network are peripheral. The results showed cooperation within larger geographical areas which may suggest larger organization according to social organization theory. According to differential association theory there are reasons to suggest that the theory is applicable to the study. / Studien bestod av social nätverksanalys via offentligt material från en tingsrätt. Arbetet utgick från en specifik dom med huvudsaklig bevisning genom den krypterade tjänsten EncroChat och ytterligare domar samlades därefter in i en andra generation. Syftet var att studera olika aspekter av nätverket. Studien tog avstamp i två teorier; differentiella associationer och social organisationsteori. Genom social nätverksanalytisk metod visade studiens resultat att datamaterialet har många nivåer och att nätverkets sammansättning kan skifta beroende på analytiskt perspektiv. Analysen visade att åklagarens utpekade ledare av nätverket inte fick en central position i arbetets nätverksgrafer samt att kvinnor förekom i periferin. Resultaten visade även på samarbeten över större geografiska områden vilket kan indikera en större organisering utifrån social organisationsteori. Sett till teorin differentiella associationer fanns det goda skäl att anta att teorin var applicerbar gentemot studien.

Paper 1: The process of engagement is essential in practice with young people at risk of social exclusion. The elements of success in building this relationship are explored to some extent in the therapeutic literature, but do not necessarily cross the discipline divide to provide clear guidance for youth work practice. This paper explored the elements of success in engaging with vulnerable young people from the perspectives of eleven vulnerable young people and ten practitioners using Personal Construct Psychology methods to elicit and compare perceptions of the process of engagement. Professionals’ personal theories of the causation and prevention of a commonly occurring case study were also investigated for their relationship to the personal constructs guiding their practice. It was found that young people prioritised the affective elements of the relationship, but that pragmatic considerations were also of high importance to them. In contrast, professionals prioritised a commitment to young person well-being, followed by factors supporting the well-being of the practitioner including self reflection. Implications for practice include an appreciation of the factors important to young people, such as genuine warmth and affect, and pragmatics that make a worker more accessible such as ad hoc availability and approachability. Paper 2: Vulnerable young people access services such as Youth Services and Youth Offending Services. Professionals in this sector have limited access to Educational Psychology. Educational Psychologists are increasingly working outside traditional settings in Community Educational Psychology roles, however more evidence is needed to illustrate the diverse possibilities of practice. This paper explores the role and perceived impact on practice of a Community Educational Psychologist coaching six, monthly sessions of Solution-Focused peer supervision with three professional peer groups from Youth Services, Youth Offending Services and Police Youth Intervention. Personal construct shifts regarding the elements of success in engaging with vulnerable young people were measured pre- and post-intervention along with role and impact themes identified through observation diaries and post-intervention semi-structured interviews. Findings included the importance of the non-intervention specific elements of the psychological supervision, the impact of Solution-Focused techniques as both a tool and process for professional development, and recommendations for further support for professionals working with vulnerable young people.

Ce mémoire avait pour but de dresser un portrait clair et exhaustif des facteurs pré-crime recensés au sein d’un échantillon de 37 agresseurs sexuels de femmes. Cette démarche est intimement liée à l’étude des processus de passage à l’acte des agresseurs sexuels. Dans le cadre d’un programme de prévention de la récidive, les participants avaient à identifier divers événements de vie qui sont survenus au cours des deux années précédant le (ou les) délit(s) de référence et qui ont eu un fort impact émotionnel sur eux. Au total, 339 événements de vie ont été recensés. À chaque événement de vie correspond une chaîne comportementale, celle-ci étant composée de six volets : 1) les « situations spécifiques » constituant l’événement de vie; 2) les « cognitions » associées à cet événement de vie; 3) les « émotions » engendrées par ces cognitions; 4) les « fantaisies » déclenchées par ces émotions; 5) les « comportements » adoptés suite à ces fantaisies; et 6) les « conséquences » ayant résulté de ces comportements. Les données, initialement de nature qualitative, ont ensuite été opérationnalisées afin qu’elles puissent être analysées quantitativement. Nos résultats ont démontré que les conflits conjugaux et la consommation d’alcool et/ou de drogues représentaient les situations les plus fréquemment rapportées au cours de la phase pré-crime. Les cognitions les plus souvent recensées suite à l’événement de vie initial étaient le pessimisme et l’adoption d’une position de victime. L’hostilité, la dépression et l’anxiété constituaient les émotions les plus fréquemment engendrées par le volet cognitif. Les fantaisies les plus souvent déclenchées par le volet émotionnel étaient l’agression sexuelle et la violence physique (non sexuelle). La consommation d’alcool et/ou de drogues et le fait de ne pas exprimer ses émotions, son point de vue ou ses besoins représentaient les comportements les plus fréquemment adoptés suite aux fantaisies. Enfin, les conséquences les plus souvent recensées étaient l’accumulation de cognitions et/ou d’émotions négatives et la présence de fantaisies sexuelles déviantes. / The main objective of this master’s thesis was to provide a clear and exhaustive overview of pre-crime factors identified in a sample of 37 convicted rapists. This approach is closely related to the study of pathways to sexual offending. While undergoing a relapse prevention program, the participants had to identify several emotionally significant life events having occurred within a 2-year period preceding the sexual crime(s) for which they have been convicted. A total of 339 life events were collected. For each life event, there is a 6-step behavioral chain: 1) "specific situations" constituting the life event; 2) "cognitions" associated with these specific situations; 3) "emotional states" initiated by these cognitions; 4) "fantasies" triggered by these emotional states; 5) "behaviors" adopted in response to these fantasies and; 6) "consequences" resulting from these behaviors. Qualitative accounts of the behavioural chains were then quantitatively codified so they can be easily analyzed. Our results showed that specific conflicts with the partner and alcohol and/or drug use were the most frequently reported emotionally significant life events having occurred in the pre-crime phase. The most commonly described cognitions associated with the specific life event situations were pessimism and feeling sorry for oneself (self-pity). Hostility, depression and anxiety were the main feelings characterizing the emotional states initiated by the cognitive processes. Sexual aggression and nonsexual violence were the most prevalent fantasies triggered by the emotional states. Alcohol and/or drug use and not expressing one’s emotions, point of view or needs were the most frequently reported behaviors in response to the fantasies. Finally, the main consequences resulting from one’s behaviors were the accumulation of negative cognitions and/or emotions and the presence of deviant sexual fantasies.

Research indicates that states have implemented juvenile justice reforms to enact harsher punishments, to transfer greater numbers and younger juvenile offenders to adult criminal court, and to restrict discretion of the juvenile court judges. Social science studies have found that harsher punishments, transfers to adult criminal court and other measures do not work, but that comprehensive approaches which address the numerous major factors contributing to juvenile offending have been successful. This study examined the legal status of the juvenile justice system by focusing upon ten diverse sample states and analyzed the social science research on factors contributing to juvenile offending and on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation approaches. The study was accomplished by legal research, qualitative social science research, and analysis of both. Findings indicated: a) state statutes require and allow adult punishment of juvenile offenders, transfer of juvenile offenders to adult criminal court, and direct filing of charges against juveniles in adult criminal court; most states begin these proceedings at age 14, some have no age minimum; b) social science research indicates numerous factors contribute to juvenile offending with most of the factors categorized into the major factors of early antisocial behavior, deviant peers, parents and family, sociomoral reasoning, biological factors, and violence which interact with each other creating a complicated web; and c) prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts should be comprehensive, multidimensional and multimodal addressing the interacting major factors contributing to juvenile offending and the needs of the juvenile, the family, and the home environment. Implications include the need for legislators to access the social science research to craft legislation and programs which are effective. Suggestions for improvement include collaboration within communities and with knowledgeable and committed social science professionals and educators. Areas suggested for further research include education of the public, the media, and stakeholders; long term follow-up on promising programs; design and improvements in approaches based upon the social science research; meeting the needs of the juvenile, the family, and the home environment; and study of how the factors may differ for disabled juveniles.

Background: Concern has been voiced over the needs of ex-military personnel following their discharge from military service and subsequent transition to community living. This concern has extended to include veterans, particularly those who have mental health, drug or alcohol problems, who come into contact with criminal justice services and are imprisoned. Research examining the experiences of military veterans prior to and during their incarceration in Scottish prisons was carried out. This study sought to examine whether veteran prisoners form a unique prison sub-group with different health, social and criminogenic needs when compared to non-veteran prisoners, and how veteran prisoners differ from non-prisoner veterans. Additionally an exploration of veterans’ experiences of prison, and what they believed caused or contributed to their imprisonment, was conducted. This sought to identify whether veterans in prison had unique vulnerability/ risk factors and whether they had a common or idiographic pathway that led to their incarceration. Methods and design: This study comprised of three separate but linked parts. It adopted a mixed-method approach combining quantitative analysis of survey data (Part 1) with qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis of focus group (Part 2) and interview data (Part 3). Survey data examined, through the use of standardised questionnaires, a range of themes; including, mental health and wellbeing, substance and alcohol use, childhood experiences, offending histories, and military experience. In Part 1 participants were recruited into three separate groups. Group 1 consisted of veterans in prison, while Group 2 consisted of prisoners who had no military experience and Group 3 comprised of Scottish Prison Service staff who had previous military experience. In Parts 2 and 3 participants were recruited from the veteran prisoner population, with participants in Part 3 having declared current mental health and/or substance use problems. Findings: Analysis of survey data identified many differences in health and wellbeing, and some differences in length of, and discharge from, military service, when comparing veteran prisoners with a non-imprisoned veteran group. Both groups, however, appeared to have similar levels of combat exposure. Comparison between veteran prisoners and non-veteran prisoners identified more similarities than differences across most of the measures. Many of the mental health drug or alcohol problems experienced by veteran prisoners were also experienced by non-veteran prisoners. Post-traumatic stress disorder did appear to be a specific problem for veteran prisoners but this did not appear to be attributable to their military experience. Additionally, veterans being raised by a mother-figure other than their birth-mother appeared to be a unique risk factor for veteran imprisonment but this finding should be viewed with caution as the number of participants raised by a mother-figure other than their birth mother was small. Findings were mixed regarding how veterans described their experience of imprisonment: some found it unchallenging yet unstimulating while others described feelings of ongoing punishment and a sense of being embattled. Reciprocal processes of dehumanising both prisoners and staff were also evident, as were contradictory experiences on the availability and quality of care provision in prison. Veteran prisoners appeared to identify with their prisoner identity rather than their veteran identity, believing that they were the same as other prisoners and had the same needs. This was evident when veterans described their experiences of forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships, albeit within-prison relationships appeared superficial in nature. While some veterans appeared reluctant to ask for assistance in prison, concerns about the inadequacies or availability of support services appear valid. Gaps in provision of care, particularly mental health care, existed at the time of the study. Lastly, some participants appeared to feel unprepared for their release from prison back to the community. This may stem from their previous experience of transitioning from the military to civilian living but it is more likely the recognition that many prisoners leave prison only to return back to custody. For some veteran prisoners this is because they believe community services are unavailable or unable to help as they struggle to cope with community living. As such, some may consider prison living the easier option. Conclusions and implications: Many of the findings suggested that veteran and non-veteran prisoners had, or were believed to have had, by veteran prisoners, similar ‘needs’ and reasons for offending. Veteran prisoners should, therefore, not be regarded as a specific sub-group of the prison population, and addressing prisoner needs should not be prioritised according to their pre-prison occupational status. Lastly, where gaps in service provision exist, the SPS and its partner agencies, including the NHS, should continue to address these. This should include giving consideration to the adoption of a trauma-informed approach within the prison environment.

No description available.

Through an internship at a nonprofit organization called ATSUB[1], specialized at giving support to non-offending parents to sexually abused children, one of the authors to this study found that there was a lack of care for the parents by governmental operations. While studying the previous research we found a great deficiency when it came to non-offending parents and far most about non-offending fathers. We found studies proving that the child’s non-offending parents are the best support for the child during their healing process. Research also shows that parents must be able to get good support and treatment during their crisis for the parents to be able to support the child, since they’re also in great despair over their child being sexually abused. We decided to do qualitative interviews with professionals who care for the non-offending parents within the county of Kalmar in Sweden. We found through the informants affidavit, studying the previous research and applying theoretical approaches that the support is good but misdirected. The results have shown that there are some miscommunications between government operations and specialized knowledge in treating parents and their situation doesn’t exist or its deficit. The professionals knew what kind of needs the non-offending parents have and they knew how important the parent is for the child’s wellbeing. The professionals also believed that it was important to give individual care to the parents, but there’s where the problem lies, they have such a great focus on the child’s treatment that the care for the parents who are supposed to be the most valuable support for the child, falls aside. [1] Anhöriga Till Sexuellt Utnyttjade Barn (Parents To Sexually Abused Children)

Ce mémoire avait pour but de dresser un portrait clair et exhaustif des facteurs pré-crime recensés au sein d’un échantillon de 37 agresseurs sexuels de femmes. Cette démarche est intimement liée à l’étude des processus de passage à l’acte des agresseurs sexuels. Dans le cadre d’un programme de prévention de la récidive, les participants avaient à identifier divers événements de vie qui sont survenus au cours des deux années précédant le (ou les) délit(s) de référence et qui ont eu un fort impact émotionnel sur eux. Au total, 339 événements de vie ont été recensés. À chaque événement de vie correspond une chaîne comportementale, celle-ci étant composée de six volets : 1) les « situations spécifiques » constituant l’événement de vie; 2) les « cognitions » associées à cet événement de vie; 3) les « émotions » engendrées par ces cognitions; 4) les « fantaisies » déclenchées par ces émotions; 5) les « comportements » adoptés suite à ces fantaisies; et 6) les « conséquences » ayant résulté de ces comportements. Les données, initialement de nature qualitative, ont ensuite été opérationnalisées afin qu’elles puissent être analysées quantitativement. Nos résultats ont démontré que les conflits conjugaux et la consommation d’alcool et/ou de drogues représentaient les situations les plus fréquemment rapportées au cours de la phase pré-crime. Les cognitions les plus souvent recensées suite à l’événement de vie initial étaient le pessimisme et l’adoption d’une position de victime. L’hostilité, la dépression et l’anxiété constituaient les émotions les plus fréquemment engendrées par le volet cognitif. Les fantaisies les plus souvent déclenchées par le volet émotionnel étaient l’agression sexuelle et la violence physique (non sexuelle). La consommation d’alcool et/ou de drogues et le fait de ne pas exprimer ses émotions, son point de vue ou ses besoins représentaient les comportements les plus fréquemment adoptés suite aux fantaisies. Enfin, les conséquences les plus souvent recensées étaient l’accumulation de cognitions et/ou d’émotions négatives et la présence de fantaisies sexuelles déviantes. / The main objective of this master’s thesis was to provide a clear and exhaustive overview of pre-crime factors identified in a sample of 37 convicted rapists. This approach is closely related to the study of pathways to sexual offending. While undergoing a relapse prevention program, the participants had to identify several emotionally significant life events having occurred within a 2-year period preceding the sexual crime(s) for which they have been convicted. A total of 339 life events were collected. For each life event, there is a 6-step behavioral chain: 1) "specific situations" constituting the life event; 2) "cognitions" associated with these specific situations; 3) "emotional states" initiated by these cognitions; 4) "fantasies" triggered by these emotional states; 5) "behaviors" adopted in response to these fantasies and; 6) "consequences" resulting from these behaviors. Qualitative accounts of the behavioural chains were then quantitatively codified so they can be easily analyzed. Our results showed that specific conflicts with the partner and alcohol and/or drug use were the most frequently reported emotionally significant life events having occurred in the pre-crime phase. The most commonly described cognitions associated with the specific life event situations were pessimism and feeling sorry for oneself (self-pity). Hostility, depression and anxiety were the main feelings characterizing the emotional states initiated by the cognitive processes. Sexual aggression and nonsexual violence were the most prevalent fantasies triggered by the emotional states. Alcohol and/or drug use and not expressing one’s emotions, point of view or needs were the most frequently reported behaviors in response to the fantasies. Finally, the main consequences resulting from one’s behaviors were the accumulation of negative cognitions and/or emotions and the presence of deviant sexual fantasies.