Abstract
Objectives
To understand the relationship between the individual and the group in co-offending narratives. To investigate whether young people identify with different roles when they co-offend.
Design
Prior research has identified that young people typically offend in the presence of others and that co-offenders fulfil the roles of instigators and followers. The present study used semi-structured interviews to explore the roles that young people fulfilled when co-offending, and to understand the relationship between the group and the individual.
Methods
Participants were purposively sampled from a group of 14 to 18-year-old males, who had been identified as at risk of involvement with gangs or organised crime and referred to a community-based programme. 20 young people who self-reported offending with others took part in the study. We administered a semi-structured interview about an offence that involved co-offenders. Using a social identity framework, a thematic analysis was undertaken in order to investigate how the participant viewed their role in offending as part of a group.
Results
Currently we are completing data collection and we have started analysis. Through the proposed research, youth workers will obtain a clearer understanding of the underlying risk factors in the narratives that their clients present. These narratives will also enable a clearer understanding of the roles that young people adopt when they offend, and ultimately how these relate to reasons for committing the offence.
Conclusions
The proposed study is essential for the development of future interventions for young people who are involved in group offending.
To understand the relationship between the individual and the group in co-offending narratives. To investigate whether young people identify with different roles when they co-offend.
Design
Prior research has identified that young people typically offend in the presence of others and that co-offenders fulfil the roles of instigators and followers. The present study used semi-structured interviews to explore the roles that young people fulfilled when co-offending, and to understand the relationship between the group and the individual.
Methods
Participants were purposively sampled from a group of 14 to 18-year-old males, who had been identified as at risk of involvement with gangs or organised crime and referred to a community-based programme. 20 young people who self-reported offending with others took part in the study. We administered a semi-structured interview about an offence that involved co-offenders. Using a social identity framework, a thematic analysis was undertaken in order to investigate how the participant viewed their role in offending as part of a group.
Results
Currently we are completing data collection and we have started analysis. Through the proposed research, youth workers will obtain a clearer understanding of the underlying risk factors in the narratives that their clients present. These narratives will also enable a clearer understanding of the roles that young people adopt when they offend, and ultimately how these relate to reasons for committing the offence.
Conclusions
The proposed study is essential for the development of future interventions for young people who are involved in group offending.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 20 Jun 2019 |
| Event | British Psychological Society Division of Forensic Psychology - Liverpool, United Kingdom Duration: 18 Jun 2019 → 20 Jun 2019 |
Conference
| Conference | British Psychological Society Division of Forensic Psychology |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Liverpool |
| Period | 18/06/19 → 20/06/19 |
