Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Assessing Alexithymia In Forensic Settings: Psychometric Properties Of The 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale Among Incarcerated Adult Offenders, David A. Preece, Cate L. Parry, Maria [Ricks] M. Allan, Alfred Allan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Alexithymia is a trait involving difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty describing feelings (DDF) and externally orientated thinking (EOT). It is a risk factor for criminal behaviour. It is commonly assessed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), but the psychometrics of the TAS-20 have not been tested across the range of offender populations, and it has been suggested it might be unsuitable in incarcerated offenders. Aim: To establish the psychometrics of the TAS-20 among incarcerated offenders.

Methods:

Factorial validity was examined using confirmatory factor analyses, and the invariance of this factor structure was tested against a published community sample. Reliability …

Alexithymia In Nonviolent Offenders, Cate L. Parry, David A. Preece, Maria [Ricks] M. Allan, Alfred Allan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Alexithymia is a trait involving difficulties processing emotions. Existing data suggest it is associated with violent offending. In violent offender programmes, therefore, violent offenders are screened for alexithymia and it is attended to if necessary. No studies have, however, examined alexithymia levels in nonviolent offenders and it is, therefore, unknown whether it is also a criminogenic factor in this population.

Aims:

To investigate alexithymia levels among incarcerated nonviolent offenders and compare them with a community comparison group.

Method:

The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale was used to compare the alexithymia levels of 67 incarcerated nonviolent offenders with a group of …

An Exploration Of The Psychological Impact Of Hacking Victimization, Alexa Palassis, Craig P. Speelman, Julie Ann Pooley

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Cybercrime has rapidly grown in prevalence and potential for harm and disruption for victims. Studies have examined the adverse psychological impact of cybercrime for victims; however, the specific effects for victims of hacking are unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological impacts of hacking victimization through exploration of the experience of victims of hacking. The study employed an in-depth phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of 11 victims of hacking. Semi-structured interviews were used as a tool for data collection, and thematic analysis of the data revealed four main themes: emotional impact; an increased sense of vulnerability; a …

Mapping Cyber-Enabled Crime: Understanding Police Investigations And Prosecutions Of Cyberstalking, Brianna Jane O'Shea, Nicole L. Asquith, Jeremy Prichard

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Stalking is one of the main types of abusive behaviour facilitated by technology. The purpose of the current study was twofold: to identify the challenges of cyberstalking investigations and prosecutions in Australia and determine how best to investigate these types of offences. A qualitative analysis of four years of interviews, focus groups and participant observations with police departments provides an overview of the cyberstalking investigative process. The findings map out the process from the initial report of the incident to the preparation of the prosecution brief. This analysis positions cyberstalking investigations as an interesting case study in the midst of …

Through A Lens Of Therapeutic Jurisprudence: A Case Study Of The Children’S Court Drug Court In Perth, Suzanne Ellis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Children’s Court Drug Court (CCDC) has operated for 20 years in Perth as an alternative Court for drug-using young offenders who present at the Children’s Court. Despite the CCDC’s relative longevity, researchers have examined neither the inner workings of the Court nor the experiences of its actors. The current study aimed, not to evaluate the CCDC, but to identify measures needed to refine CCDC processes to enhance the experiences and outcomes of young people who participate in the CCDC. It argues that despite the CCDC’s foundations in contentious therapeutic jurisprudence principles, on balance, the actors – young people, their …