Title: ”… Then came the realization that I was just like them. That I have a gambling addiction…” This is a qualitative study of four former gamblers and their experience of getting out of the gambling addiction. The study is about how individuals have overcome a gambling addiction. The purpose of this study is to examine the social processes and factors that are of importance when overcoming a gambling addiction. In addition, the study focuses on how individuals experience the change from gambling addiction to a life free of that addiction. In this thesis, I conducted a qualitative study in the form of semi-structured interviews with four former gamblers. The theoretical approach concentrated on Ebaugh’s (1988) role exit theory and Giddens’ (2005) identity formation theory has been used to illustrate the interviewees' experiences of gambling addiction and their identity as addiction free. The study shows that the gambling addiction has brought economic, social and health-related impacts and some of these aspects still exist today. The exit out of a gambling addiction has been a process with different phases and events where the process for some has been incrementally with relapses during the journey. Based on my results, the changing process appears to consist of parallel turning points where different and more significant events give rise to role exit. The study shows the need of continuous social support in combination with gambling association support efforts and the gamblers’ own insight, motivation and freedom of action. It appears that the interviewed have accepted their role that they had left behind and they take careful consideration to the past and the future and try to make more conscious choices and build their new identity. This is done by actions and re- evaluations of themselves and their world. It is based on their lives, by their own choices. However, these choices seem to be limited by conditions that occur in the interaction with the environment, social norms and social situations.

Denna studie behandlar fenomenen kriminalitet och identitetsskapande. Den syftar till att skapa kunskap om vägen in i kriminalitet samt utträde ur en kriminell gemenskap. Studien koncentreras till att förstå hur sociala faktorer kan påverka processen med fokus på identitetsskapande. Hur ser förändringsprocessen ut för individer som tidigare befunnit sig i utanförskap till att tillhöra en socialt accepterad gemenskap? Studien genomfördes med en fenomenologisk ansats och resultatet baseras på den empiri vi erhöll genom sju semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer. Intervjuerna har baserats på teman för att tillhandahålla samtalsstruktur och i ett led att besvara syftet. Urvalet är målstyrt och samtliga respondenter, utom en, är medlemmar i en ideell förening som arbetar stödjande för människor med en förflutet inom kriminalitet och missbruk. Resultatet visar att både in- och utträde ur en kriminell gemenskap är en komplex process och att omgivningen genomgående har en stor påverkan i processen och i möjliggörandet för en ny identitet. Sammanställningen av den insamlade empirin består av tre olika delar, vägen in i kriminalitet, livet som kriminell samt vägen ut ur kriminalitet och skapandet av en prosocial identitet. Resultatet analyseras genom meningskoncentrering och tematisk analys. / The purpose of this study is to explore criminality and identity-creation. Why does some people end up in criminality and how one desist from crime. This paper focuses on how social factors can influence the process in and out of criminality with focus on identity-creation. This study also seeks to understand the change-process; how does an individual with a criminal past move from being socially excluded to becoming a member of a socially accepted group? The study takes a phenomenological approach and the result is based on the data we received from seven semi-structured qualitative interviews. The interviews were based on different themes to structure the dialogue with a view towards answering the purpose. The sample we used are based on purposeful technique and all informants, except for one, are members of associations that work to support people with a history of crime and addiction. The results show that entering and leaving a criminal community are complex processes and also that social context has a major influence on the process and the possibility to create a new identity. The compiled data consists of three different parts: 1) the gateway to crime 2) life as a criminal and 3) desistance from crime and creating a prosocial identity. The result is analyzed by initial sentence-concentration and thematic analysis.

In recent years much effort has been dedicated to the purpose of combating commercial sexual exploitation yet there is a lack of concise and comprehensive information on the effectiveness of strategies and interventions to help this population. Research in this field has helped define and illuminate consequences of this lifestyle. The existing literature points to the complexity of the population's needs and the challenges faced when trying to leave 'the life' however there is a dearth of information on what works. The purpose of this project is to identify and summarize the findings of any empirical studies which evaluate interventions that target a successful exit for a life of sexual exploitation. Through a systematic review of results from search term combinations in two academic databases, peer-reviewed journal articles meeting selection criteria were analyzed and themes are presented. Results from the systematic review revealed only a small number of articles for inclusion and they are described in detail in this study. Recommendations for further research and review are also discussed.

Under en kort tid har brottsligheten i Sverige ökat och blivit ett allvarligt och omtalat samhällsproblem. Det är en komplex process att lämna en kriminell miljö som ofta kan innebära en rad olika utmaningar. Samhörighet och sociala band som formas i kriminella miljöer kan fördröja processen att lämna på grund av en stark identifikation till gruppen. Stöd och insatser av samhället är viktigt för att en individ ska kunna förändra sin identitet som kriminell. Syftet med denna kvalitativa studie var att undersöka subjektiva upplevelser av hur stigmatisering, stämplingsprocesser och stödinsatser påverkat exitprocessen i utvecklingen till en icke-kriminell identitet. Utgångspunkten för studien var en socialpsykologisk ansats som studerades genom teorier om social identitet, stigmatisering, stämpling och exitprocess. Tio respondenter från avhopparverksamheten Kriminellas revansch i samhället (KRIS) deltog i studien och intervjuades med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultatet visade att KRIS stödinsatser har en positiv påverkan på utvecklingen av en icke-kriminell identitet genom att bidra till en känsla av stöd och acceptans. De respondenter som inte hade gjort en geografisk separation upplevde stämpling och stigma i större bemärkelse. Stämplingsprocesser och stigmatisering visade sig ha en negativ inverkan på utvecklingen till en icke-kriminell identitet under exitprocessen. Medlemskapet hos KRIS har fungerat som en skyddad miljö från stämpling och stigmatiseringen som underlättat identitetsformande i exitprocessen. / Over a short period of time, crime in Sweden has increased and become a serious and publicized social problem. It is a complex process to leave a criminal environment that can often involve a number of different challenges. Cohesion and social ties formed in criminal environments can delay the process of leaving due to a strong identification with the group. Support and efforts by society are important for an individual to be able to change his identity as a criminal. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate subjective experiences of how stigmatization, labeling processes and support efforts affected the exit process in the development to a non-criminal identity. The starting point for studies was a social psychological approach that was studied through theories of social identity, stigmatization, labeling and exit process. Ten respondents from the dropout activity Criminal Revenge in Society (KRIS) participated in studies and interviews using semi-structured interviews. The results showed that KRIS's support efforts have a positive impact on the development of a non-criminal identity by contributing to a feeling of support and acceptance. The respondents who had not made a geographical separation experienced labeling and stigma in a larger sense. Stamping processes and stigmatization were found to have a negative impact on the development to a non-criminal identity in the exit process. The membership of KRIS has functioned as a protected environment from labeling and stigmatization that facilitates identity formation in the exit process.

ABSTRACT Demographic forces in the U.S. economy can be expected to have a significant impact on the behavior of small business owners, particularly as it relates to their ownership transitions and exiting from their privately held firms (the development of “harvest” strategies). The ability of business owners to identify entity value and communicate this to the market (market signaling) could be a key determinant in maximizing sellers’ payouts at the dispositions of their businesses. Historically, payouts have been maximized through transactions with strategic buyers, who have pre-existing knowledge of the seller’s industry or market thereby permitting rapid value accretion for buyers. However, a current unprecedented level of capital available in the private equity market has created a sea of financial buyers who, despite having available capital, may not have the industry or firm specific knowledge which permits the rapid value accretion in an acquisition as it would a strategic buyer. In turn, seller payouts may be suppressed because of selling to financial buyers. The primary focus of this paper is to explore how sellers view the differences between the two types of buyers and the implications for seller payouts. More broadly, it addresses the importance of market signaling and its impact on seller payouts. / Business Administration/Entrepreneurship

Despite scientific research indicating that women have unique pathways both into, and out of crime, they are still quite often an overlooked group in regards to criminal research. For society to continue supporting these women in the most optimal way, it is important to both acknowledge and dive further into the complicated factors that affect women’s processes of reformation from a criminal lifestyle. The purpose of this study was to both create an understanding of the challenges women face when wanting to put their criminal past behind them and to cement the importance of social work in this exit process. Using the exit process and gender contract as our theoretical frames we have analyzed ten semi-structured interviews with five former female criminals. The results show that motherhood is a significant factor in a woman's desistance. KRIS, a volunteer support organization, is also a crucial system in a woman’s decision to leave a criminal lifestyle. Additionally, we have found that multiple traditional expectations involved with being a woman, and a mother, are significant factors in a desire for reformation. Finally, the results indicate that engaging in activities that involve helping others is a key factor in women's journey to desistance. / Kvinnor är en ofta förbisedd målgrupp inom forskning gällande kriminalitet. Detta trots att studier pekar på att kvinnor i många fall har unika ingångar till kriminalitet och därmed följer unika vägar ut ur den. Det är viktigt att erkänna och förstå de komplexa faktorerna som påverkar deras exitprocess från brottslighet så att samhället kan hjälpa och stödja dessa kvinnor på ett fördelaktigt sätt. Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att skapa en förståelse för de utmaningar som kvinnor, vilka har haft kriminalitet som livsstil, kan stå inför när de vill avsluta sin kriminella livsstil och på vilket sätt det sociala arbetet har en roll i en sådan exitprocess. Vi har med hjälp av teorierna om exitprocessen och genuskontraktet analyserat material från tio semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem kvinnor som tidigare levt i livsstilskriminalitet. Resultatet visar att moderskap är betydelsefullt i en kvinnas avhållsamhet, likaså har den frivilliga stödorganisationen KRIS många gånger varit ett avgörande stöd. Av resultatet kan vi även utläsa att det finns föreställningar på en kvinna och än mer på mödrar som gjort att kvinnorna försökt eller helt avhållit sig från kriminalitet. Slutligen visar resultaten att kvinnorna i studien idag jobbar med att hjälpa, vilket är viktigt för deras avhållsamhet.

The purpose of this study was to create a deeper understanding for, and shine a light on the exit process for former criminal gang members. Which conditions appear to be important and what may constitute the enabling and inhibiting factors of an exit process? The study was based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with respondents who themselves have experience of a criminal lifestyle and gang affiliation, and with professionals in social work. Our theoretical approach is based on Helen Ebaugh’s definition of an exit process, labeling theories, strain theory and control theory. Said theories are usually an explanation for why an individual develops and remains in a criminal behavior. We used these theories in an opposite way, that is, as a model to explain how the way out of crime could look like.   The conclusion is that the process of leaving a criminal lifestyle and gang affiliation behind is complex. The criminal lifestyle means a marginalized position and limited resources linked to the conventional society. Throughout the process, the individual must, despite the difficulties, choose the legal options and be sustainable even if emotions like loneliness and disorientation arises. For individuals the way out of crime leads to a role change, to learn again. This indicates in our conclusions of the importance of including assistance in working with their criminal thinking patterns and behavior, orderly housing situation and livelihood as well as the importance of a supportive social network. Individuals who have been part of a criminal gang often have a unique support needs based on the environment they have been in, and not least by the sense of community and identity that the gang has meant to them.   Motivation and their willpower is portrayed as the most central means to cope with the exit process. The absence of one or more conditions increases the risk for the individual to fail while the access to conditions alone is not enough. The right conditions at the right time seems to appear as the key to generate a successful change process.

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Ce mémoire s’intéresse aux expériences de femmes en processus de sortie de la prostitution. Il vise à comprendre les obstacles auxquels ces femmes sont confrontées pour pouvoir bénéficier d’interventions sociales accessibles et facilitant leur sortie de la prostitution. Cette recherche qualitative prend appui sur 11 entretiens individuels réalisés auprès de femmes âgées de 26 à 55 ans et habitant Montréal, les Laurentides et l’Abitibi. Bien que nombre de femmes aux prises avec la prostitution souhaitent en sortir, on compte peu d’interventions sociales pour les aider en ce sens. Les services publics sont largement insuffisants à la fois du point de vue de leur accessibilité et de leur réponse aux besoins de ces femmes. Peu d’études s’intéressent aux services d’aide à la sortie de la prostitution, notamment au Québec. Ce mémoire privilégie une perspective féministe abolitionniste et un cadre épistémologique de la théorie standpoint. Les résultats mettent en lumière les obstacles à l’accessibilité des interventions sociales, dont le cloisonnement des services et le refus manifeste d’offrir de l’aide aux femmes. Cette recherche rend compte également de l’expérience de pratiques d’intervention entravant le processus de sortie : 1) les pratiques punitives, 2) celles proposant une aide limitée aux femmes ou 3) leur adaptation à la prostitution. La conclusion de ce mémoire propose la mise en œuvre de pratiques sociales novatrices qui prennent en compte les contraintes sociales qui mènent les femmes à l’industrie du sexe et les y maintiennent ainsi que les conséquences de l’expérience même de la prostitution sur elles. / This thesis focuses on the experiences of women in the process of leaving prostitution. It aims to understand the barriers these women face in order to receive social interventions that are accessible and that facilitate their exit from prostitution. This qualitative research builds on 11 individual interviews with women aged between 26 and 55 years and living in Montreal, the Laurentians and Abitibi. Although many women in prostitution want to exit, there are few social interventions to help them in this regard. Public services are largely inadequate both regarding their accessibility and their response to the needs of these women. Few studies have focused on support services to facilitate exiting prostitution, especially in Quebec. This thesis is anchored in a feminist abolitionist perspective with standpoint theory as the epistemological framework. The results highlight the barriers to accessibility of services including compartmentalisation of services and a manifest refusal to provide social support interventions for women. This study also gives an account of the experience of interventions that hinder the exiting process: 1) punitive practices, 2) those providing limited assistance to women or 3) their adaptation to prostitution. The conclusion proposes the implementation of innovative social practices that take into account the social constraints that lead women into the sex industry and keep them there as well as the consequences of the very experience of prostitution on them.

Former studies show that the break-up from prostitution can be seen as a process with several stages which the person has to go through and that there are several factors which can affect the break-up. The aim of this study is to create an understanding for and illustrate how a break-up from prostitution can look like. We have interviewed three ex-prostitutes about their own break-up and three social workers who work with helping individuals to exit prostitution. We have analyzed the material through the theory of exit process by Helen Fuch Ebaugh (1988) and through former studies. All the ex-prostitutes and the social workers in our study described the break-up from prostitution as a process. All our respondents agreed on that there are several different factors affecting a break-up from prostitution, whereof close relationships and the own motivation to make a change are the most significant ones. Formal support from professionals is also considered having an impact on the exit process as well as during the period after the break-up. In summary, the break-up process from prostitution is very complex, can be emotionally exhausting and may vary to a great extent between individuals.