A mixed-methods systematic review of offence-related shame and/or guilt in violent offenders

Mottershead, Trixie ORCID: 0000-0002-4774-4125, Griffiths, Alys, Nathan, Rajan and Cole, Jon ORCID: 0000-0003-3515-0183 (2024) A mixed-methods systematic review of offence-related shame and/or guilt in violent offenders Aggression and Violent Behavior, 78. p. 101989. ISSN 1359-1789, 1873-6335

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Abstract

Violent crime may impact the perpetrator in many ways, such as experiencing the negative emotions of shame and/or guilt. These emotions may subsequently play a role in adjusting to life after the crime has taken place, which is an area that has been relatively under-researched. The review aimed to identify and synthesise all available literature on the experience of offence-related shame and/or guilt in violent offenders, and to describe and characterise the methodological standard of research evidence whilst suggesting areas for further research. A systematic review of relevant databases was conducted using predefined search terms related to ‘shame’ and/or ‘guilt’ and ‘violent offenders’. A mixed methods systematic review of sample characteristics, methodologies and measures was conducted to describe and compare findings across quantitative and qualitative studies. The review yielded nine papers. Offence-related shame and/or guilt was prevalent among violent populations. Results highlight the complexity and importance of the two emotions for offender rehabilitation. The findings support the need for further investigation to improve the methodological rigor within this area, such as the use of, and development of validated measures of offence-related shame and/or guilt to encourage a more reformed understanding of offence-related shame and/or guilt, for violent offenders. The review considers several implications for research and practice.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	4402 Criminology, 44 Human Society, Violence Research, Behavioral and Social Science, 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	25 Oct 2024 12:42
Last Modified:	17 Jan 2026 20:28
DOI:	10.1016/j.avb.2024.101989
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2024.101989
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3186243
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