Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice

Publisher:: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Publication date:: 2021-02-01

ISBN:: 2056-3841

Issue Number

No. 11-1, January - January - December - December - December - November - November 2025

Latest documents

Variation in risk and protective factors among boy and girl gang involved youth: a direct comparison
Purpose: This study aims to directly compare risk and protective factors of male and female gang-involved youth. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses the 2022 Arizona Youth Survey data. Gang-involved boys and girls are compared through multivariate logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between risk and protective factors and youth gang membership. Findings: Multivariate analyses reveal significant differences in risk and protective factors between gang-involved boys and girls in connection with family conflict. Practical implications: There is a need for semi-specialized prevention and intervention programming for male and female gang youth. Gang programs should emphasize addressing issues with family and home life more for girls than for boys. School-based gang programs need to similarly emphasize educational commitment and positive peer influence for both gang-involved boys and girls. Improving positive neighborhood attachment through community programming will be beneficial for reducing the likelihood of gang involvement for both girls and boys. Originality/value: There is a need to improve comprehension of the similarities and differences among male and female gang youth. Few studies directly compare the two groups, and by focusing on risk/protective factors, the results can help to provide direct applications to existing intervention and prevention programming.
Assessment of moral injury and PTSD in active-duty personnel and veterans in Ukraine: a scoping review
Purpose: This study is a scoping literature review of research into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injury (MI) in active-duty military personnel and veterans in Ukraine. This study aims to explore the existing research regarding the relationship between PTSD and MI in Ukrainian military personnel to identify the need for future research in a vulnerable social group that is exposed to a high level of conflict. Design/methodology/approach: This scoping review includes the results of peer-reviewed articles from online databases (PubMed, Science Direct, PsycArticles, Military Database, Sociological Abstract, Psychology Database, PTSD Pubs, Web of Science), which were searched for publications in English, Ukrainian and Russian. The data obtained was organized using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews extension for scoping reviews and Meta-Analyses, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Studies Checklist and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Data was analyzed and categorized using an inductive thematic analysis. Findings: According to the thematic analysis, the following themes were identified in a Ukrainian military context: sources of PTSD, sources of moral injury, symptoms of PTSD, symptoms of moral injury and treating and prevention mechanisms. All studies included in the scoping review (32) report on PTSD and/or MI in military groups in Ukraine. They find the gap in research and in numerous comprehensive studies problematic and underline the need for more effective rehabilitation programs. Practical implications: A scoping review was conducted to thematically map the research in the area, identify any knowledge gaps deficit about PTSD and MI in Military personnel in Ukraine and contribute to further development of effective rehabilitation programs. Originality/value: The sparsity of the existing literature highlights the need for further research into enhancing the mental health services provided to military personnel. In addition, there is a growing need to further explore trauma exposure and potentially morally injurious events related to PTSD and MI, in particular. Such a review has not yet been carried out, which adds value to the current paper.
Defining and identifying potentially morally injurious experiences for secure mental healthcare workers: a Delphi study
Purpose: Staff in secure mental health-care settings face unique occupational challenges that may conflict with their personal or professional moral code. Initial research has established the presence of moral injury in this population, though insight into the specific sources and driving factors at the root of this syndrome is limited. The purpose of this study was to identify potentially morally injurious events and associated risk factors for secure mental healthcare staff. Design/methodology/approach: To address this gap, a three-round expert Delphi survey was conducted to gain consensus on the conceptualisation, types and drivers of potentially morally injurious experiences (PMIEs) for secure mental health-care workers. Health-care professionals and academics in the field were recruited. Findings: A high level of consensus (= 80%) was achieved on several sources of moral injury, which related to aspects of the health-care system, the secure context, relational dynamics and individual practices, behaviours and attitudes. Experts also agreed on several items relating to the definition of a PMIE, the factors driving the occurrence of PMIEs and the factors increasing risk for the subsequent development of moral injury. Practical implications: The findings suggest that current definitions of PMIEs may, in isolation, be too narrow, prompting the need to attend to the broad range of PMIEs experienced by secure mental health-care staff. In addition, recommendations for the primary and secondary prevention of moral injury in secure mental health-care staff are offered, recognising the particular need for intervention at a systemic level. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to consider the range of sources of moral injury faced by staff providing for people with complex forensic and mental health needs.
Investigating identity crime and misuse in Australia: the role of prevention technologies and the likelihood of victimisation
Purpose: This study examines identity theft as a significant and growing issue in Australia, not only due to its financial impact but also because of the emotional, psychological, and physical harm it causes, making it a public health concern. This study aims to analyse the results of the 2019 Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) survey to identify factors associated with an increased likelihood of identity theft victimisation. Design/methodology/approach: This study involved a detailed analysis of the 2019 AIC survey, which had 9,968 respondents from a sample of 10,000. The research focused on whether respondents had ever been victimised by identity theft and analysed various characteristics, including demographics (gender, age, Indigenous status, education), income, computer usage, and preventive technology use, as potential indicators of future victimisation. Univariate analyses (chi-squared test and two-sample t-test) were used to assess individual associations, whereas a multivariate analysis (logistic regression) identified significant predictors of victimisation. Findings: The univariate analyses indicated that all sub-variables were individually associated with identity theft victimisation. However, the multivariate analysis revealed that only identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, having an income between $18,201 and $37,000, and using multiple preventive technologies were significant predictors of victimisation. The unexpected finding that increased preventive technology use correlates with a higher risk of victimisation contradicts the survey’s suggestion that victims adopt more careful behaviour post-victimisation. Practical implications: The research highlights the need for further investigation into the counterintuitive finding that greater use of preventive technologies may increase the risk of identity theft. Understanding this discrepancy could inform the development of more effective identity theft prevention strategies by the government and related agencies. Originality/value: This study contributes to the existing literature by offering a nuanced understanding of the factors associated with identity theft victimisation in Australia that may be applicable globally. The unexpected findings regarding the use of preventive technologies provide a basis for further research and have the potential to influence future policymaking and identity theft prevention efforts.
An evaluation of the understanding risk group programme in inpatient forensic psychological services
Purpose: Risk assessment and risk management planning are integral to reducing risk of future violence in forensic settings. Over the past decade, emphasis has been placed on involving service users in this process. Nonetheless, service user knowledge of violence risk assessments such as the Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20, Version 3 (HCR-20v3) and collaborative risk assessment is often limited. This service evaluation aimed to assess the effectiveness of a pilot Understanding Risk programme, on increasing knowledge of the HCR-20v3 and insight into risk of violence. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology used was a within-subjects design, collecting quantitative data before and after intervention. Participants’ beliefs and attitudes supportive of violence, and perceptions of their recovery, were assessed using a semi-structured HCR-20v3 questionnaire, the Maudsley Violence Questionnaire and the Recovery Assessment Scale – Domains and Stages. An HCR-20v3 historical factor checklist was also completed. The final sample (n = 11) consisted of low and medium secure forensic inpatients. Findings: The results of this study indicated that after intervention, participants had significantly greater knowledge of the HCR-20v3 and more positive perceptions of their functional and personal recovery. Significant changes were not observed on the Maudsley Violence Questionnaire total score; however, further analysis indicated significantly lower scores on the “acceptance of violence” subscale after intervention. Practical implications: The Understanding Risk programme was associated with positive changes across treatment domains in a small sample of forensic inpatients. Specifically, improvements were observed for increased knowledge of the HCR-20v3, attitudes towards recovery and non-acceptance of violence. It would be of clinical benefit to replicate this study across different levels of security to increase the generalisability of findings. This study shows promise for the efficacy of the Understanding Risk programme among forensic inpatients. Originality/value: This service evaluation provides preliminary support for the benefits of educating and involving service users in violence risk assessment.
Social networks and perceived social support among community corrections offenders in China: a pilot study report
Purpose: This study aims to assess the social network and perceived social support among community corrections offenders in China and compare the relationship between different sub-dimensions of social support and offenders’ social adaptation. Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive design combined with self-administered questionnaires was used. A total of 54 valid responses were analysed, with participants displaying the following demographic characteristics: male offenders outnumbered female offenders, probationers constituted the highest proportion among all community corrections offenders and educational levels were generally low. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were conducted. The Lubben Social Network Scale, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List Scale and Person at Re-education-centre Social Adaptation Scale were used to measure the variables. Findings: Participants exhibited generally good levels of social support, with moderately extensive social networks and perceived support. All sub-dimensions showed significant positive correlations with social adaptation, with the highest correlation for appraisal support (r = 0.743, p < 0.01), followed by instrumental support (r = 0.714, p < 0.01), emotional support (r = 0.687, p < 0.01), informational support (r = 0.685, P < 0.01) and social networks (r = 0.426, p < 0.01). Practical implications: This study expands the understanding of community corrections offenders in China by focusing on the underexplored Sichuan Province, using empirical methods for data collection. It addresses a gap in previous research by examining both structural and functional support for offenders rather than focusing solely on one aspect. The study uses two scales, rarely used in Chinese research, to measure structural and functional support, thereby enhancing research on social support for offenders. Practically, it explores the correlation between social support and re-entry, offering valuable insights for improving offenders’ reintegration into society. Originality/value: These results underscore the critical role of social networks and perceived social support in reintegrating Chinese community corrections offenders. Distinct from prior research, this study used a more comprehensive scale, less commonly used by Chinese scholars, to enable detailed measurement and analysis, highlighting the significance of both structural and functional support in informing practice in related fields.
Role of cognition in mediating parental knowledge and support as precipitants of early adolescent delinquency escalation: partial replication and extension
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cognitive factors mediate the relationship between parental knowledge/support and delinquency escalation. Design/methodology/approach: Using data from early adolescent youth enrolled in the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) study, two analyses were performed. The first analysis cross-lagged parental knowledge and cognitive impulsivity as predictors of delinquency escalation and the second analysis cross-lagged parental support and moral neutralization as predictors of delinquency escalation. Findings: In both analyses, the indirect effect of a change in parenting on delinquency escalation via a change in cognition attained significance, whereas the indirect effect of a change in cognition on delinquency escalation via a change in parenting did not. In neither case did the direct effect of parenting on delinquency achieve significance. Research limitations/implications: This study was limited, however, by exclusive reliance on self-report measures to assess all variables in this study and the use of explicit rather than implicit measures of cognitive impulsivity and moral neutralization. Practical implications: The practical implications of these results are that they point to ways in which improved parenting can lead to crime deceleration; reduced cognitive impulsivity and moral neutralization can lead to crime deceleration. Social implications: These results imply that social variables like parental knowledge and support stimulate a change in cognition as part of the process by which delinquency escalates during early adolescence. Originality/value: The unique contribution this study makes to the field is that it highlights the role antisocial cognition plays in mediating between social factors and delinquency as part of the crime acceleration process that often occurs in early adolescence.
Unveiling the failure: a comprehensive analysis of Bangladesh’s war on drugs
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate public perceptions of illegal drug availability in Bangladesh amid the ongoing war on drugs while comparing the efficacy of crackdowns with traditional law enforcement strategies. Design/methodology/approach: Using a quantitative approach, the research analyzes data gathered from 400 participants, including law enforcement officials, students, politicians, community leaders and journalists. Findings: The findings reveal that illegal drugs continue to be widely accessible in Bangladesh, with 50.15% of respondents acknowledging this despite the government's intensified efforts against drug dealers since 2015. Perceptions of availability are notably higher among those identifying as “other” (66.67%), younger individuals aged 18–28 (55.26%), participants with lower educational levels (76.67% for those with less than SSC education), unmarried respondents (58.86%) and students (60.55%). When assessing enforcement methods, a substantial majority (65.6%) prefer regular law enforcement over violent crackdowns. The survey indicates that all respondents identifying as “other,” along with 73.23% of females, 65.6% of males, 81.82% of participants aged 58–68 and individuals from Khulna (92.65%), Rangpur (96.92%) and Dhaka (51.43%), overwhelmingly favor regular law enforcement compared to crackdowns. Practical implications: The study emphasizes the urgent need to address the shortcomings of violent anti-drug measures and advocates for a more holistic approach that considers the complex interplay of social, economic and health factors in combating drug abuse in Bangladesh. Originality/value: This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between demographic factors and perceptions of drug availability and the effectiveness of violent crackdowns vs regular law enforcement, revealing new insights into this complex sociocultural issue.
Fire messaging: a qualitative exploration of how adults teach children about fire
Purpose: Research indicates that children’s early experience of fire can influence what and how they learn about fire. In turn, early fire-learning can influence how people come to use it later in life, including whether they engage in maladaptive use, i.e. firesetting. Little is known about the underlying mechanisms of fire-learning, which was the basis for this study. The research question was: “how do adults educate children about fire in the UK/ Ireland”? The purpose of this study was to explore the child fire education process from an adult perspective. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews was conducted with 21 fire-educators who had regular contact with children. Data was analysed using abbreviated grounded theory. Steps were taken to ensure reliability and validity, including a Cohen’s Kappa calculation, indicating an agreement level of 0.9 between two raters. Findings: Four core themes were identified: the fire narrative, enabling growth, risk management, and communication, from which the fire-learning process model (F-LPM) was formed. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation is the nature of the sample, in that it was diverse and self-selecting. Practical implications: The findings are discussed, including how they offer support for social learning theory (SLT) perspectives on fire-learning. Social implications: The social construction of fire (i.e. the way fire is viewed by society as a whole in the UK/ Ireland) is discussed in depth, and cultural variability is highlighted. Suggestions are made for how the societal view of fire and, consequently, how adults convey this to young people, could be better balanced. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in the UK/ Ireland to consider how adults educate young people about fire from a concurrent perspective. This is important given that research indicates early experiences of fire can impact how people later go on to use it (including maladaptive use in the form of firesetting).
The ripple effect of school dropout: exploring the nexus between school dropout, deviance, and subsequent arrest amongst children in India
Purpose: This paper aims to measure the prevalence of deviant behaviour among children who have dropped out of school and their subsequent arrests by the criminal justice system. The paper further analyses the relationship between the factors attributed to deviant behaviour and the subsequent arrests by the criminal justice system. Design/methodology/approach: Using a semi-structured interview schedule, data was collected from 330 children who had already dropped out of school, remained on the streets or worked. The interviews took place in the presence of either of the children’s parents, with their consent. Findings: The research identified 12 significant factors contributing to children dropping out of school. It also found six factors responsible for deviant behaviour. Furthermore, the study revealed that about 70% of the respondents were involved in one or more deviant behaviours. Among them, 51% had been detained by the Police in the past two years. Additionally, the linear regression model results positively predict the nexus among the six factors responsible for deviant behaviour. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited to male children who had dropped out of school, as female children were excluded. In connection with measuring deviant behaviour, it was challenging to discern whether it occurred before students left school, after or both. Practical implications: The study suggests several measures, including policies such as early intervention programmes, providing quality education, mentoring and counselling for students and parents, vocational education opportunities, creating drug-free environments, career guidance, peer mentoring, community engagement, substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation programmes, to prevent school dropout and subsequent deviant behaviour. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is unique to India. The moderation regression model represents an exceptional finding. This study constitutes another addition to the field of child welfare while also indicating scope for future research.