By Tazmeen Nabi,
London Metropolitan University.
This study examined the role of moral disengagement in the relationship between the dark triad and intimate partner violence (IPV) attitudes. Individuals with experience in romantic relationships (N = 74) completed an online questionnaire comprised of three standardised, self-report scales examining the dark triad, moral disengagement and IPV attitudes. The dark triad was used as three independent measures, whereas moral disengagement and IPV attitudes were treated as single measures. Three separate mediation models were created for each independent variable (psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism), with moral disengagement as a mediator and IPV attitudes as the outcome. The results demonstrated that each facet of the dark triad significantly predicted moral disengagement, with psychopathy being the strongest predictor. Each mediation model showed significant indirect effects through the mediator. The direct effects of psychopathy and narcissism on IPV attitudes remained significant, indicating partial mediation. The direct effect of Machiavellianism of IPV attitudes was non-significant, suggesting full mediation through moral disengagement. These findings demonstrate how the dark personalities, particularly Machiavellianism, operate cognitively to justify IPV behaviours. The identification of moral disengagement as a central mechanism extends theoretical understanding into practical insight, informing prevention and intervention strategies of IPV.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21432585
By Chiara Marchica,
London Metropolitan University.
This study explores the factors shaping involvement in drug markets, challenging assumptions that participation is primarily driven by financial gain. While economic factors remain significant, the findings demonstrate that involvement is also shaped by deeper social, emotional, and identity-based processes that extend beyond survival. Adopting a qualitative approach, the research draws on semi-structured interviews with individuals formerly involved in drug dealing, whose perspective remains underrepresented within existing literature. The findings show that involvement does not emerge from a single cause, but through the interaction between structural constraints, social environments, and individual experiences. Financial pressure, limited legitimate opportunities, peer influence, and neighbourhood contexts shaped initial involvement, while identity, status, masculinity, and emotional factors sustained engagement over time. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of drug market involvement and highlights the need for more effective responses that offer viable alternatives to criminal engagement. Existing punitive approaches and processes of marginalisation may reinforce social exclusion and limit access to legitimate opportunities. The findings support the need for preventative strategies that move beyond punitive and deterrence-based approaches by addressing the underlying social, structural, and emotional conditions associated with drug market involvement.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21432484
By Olta Gjini,
London Metropolitan University.
This dissertation explores the critical relationship between childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and entry into youth justice, specifically looking at those youth who are deemed at risk for involvement in justice. In terms of the developmental and socio-ecological approach, this study asserts that the reduction of youth offending is not possible to be attributed to individual behaviours or personal responsibility. It is influenced by the interaction of psychological, social and structural factors such as trauma, poverty, educational exclusion and insufficient welfare provision.
A qualitative secondary research design was used, which involved thematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature, policy frameworks and programme evaluations. Four main themes emerged: childhood trauma as a vulnerability process, the link between trauma and social disadvantage, the impact of institutional responses on processes towards criminalisation, and the effectiveness of preventative and trauma-informed responses.
The results suggest that ACEs are not themselves a causative factor in offending but can add to disadvantage when combined with other ACEs. Youth may exhibit behaviours that institutional systems may see as deliberate deviance as a result of trauma that interferes with their emotional regulation, attachment and coping. Risk is further exacerbated by the effects of school exclusion, poverty and disparate services. However, it is important to recognise that institutional responses that focus on risk management rather than welfare can, in turn, contribute to the process of justice involvement.
There is potential for improved engagement and unnecessary criminalisation through preventative and trauma-informed strategies, such as those offered in the Child First framework, diversion programmes and Enhanced Case Management. But their effectiveness is limited by the bumpy road of implementation, lack of resources, and the remaining presence of risk-based culture in practice.
It is concluded in the dissertation that, effective prevention requires a multi-coordinated response that is focused on the welfare of the individual and the structural inequalities. To shift youth justice outcomes in favour of less harm and a more equitable outcome for vulnerable young people then youth justice policy needs to move significantly toward early intervention, relational practice and social inclusion.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21402424