Thesis-2000-Kellett.pdf (18.78 MB)
An investigation into joyriding as an addictive behaviour
thesis
posted on 2010-11-22, 15:10 authored by Susan K. KellettThis thesis describes an investigation into the type of car crime often referred to
as 'joyriding'. Stealing a car for the fun of driving can be carried out quite
excessively, and this has led to a number of anecdotal comments that joyriding
may be 'addictive'. This has particularly been the case in Northern Ireland, where
many joyriders have continued in the behaviour despite the threat or experience of
serious paramilitary punishment. However, whilst several studies of car crime
have alluded to the suggestion that some joyriders appear to be addicted to the
behaviour, research conducted to specifically investigate this phenomenon has
been scant. The present study therefore explores this notion further by exploring
joyriding within the context of an addiction model.
Following 10 pilot interviews with a total of 33 young offenders, the main study
consisted of 76 semi-structured interviews conducted with 54 convicted joyriders
(aged between 15-21 years), 12 professionals with care and control of joyriders,
plus 11 non joyriding young offenders; the sample being drawn from both the
Midlands and Northern Ireland. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and a
qualitative thematic analysis was undertaken using QSR NUD *IST software.
The career of the joyrider is presented in terms of how it maps on to the career
pattern of (other) potentially addictive behaviours from initiation through to
cessation of the behaviour. Discussion considers how the activity can be
understood within the context of a deviant subculture, as well as an investigation
of possible dependency to joyriding by some individuals as defined using DSM
IV-type criteria. This analysis is followed by a consideration of how notions of
`addiction', and 'addiction to joyriding', are perceived by the respondents, and
how these notions compare with the 'diagnostic' criteria. Finally, the process of
stopping joyriding is discussed within Prochaska and DiClemente's (1984) stages
of change model, and related intervention strategies are suggested for the
rehabilitation of joyriders at each of the hypothesised stages of change.
History
School
- Design
Publisher
© Susan K. KellettPublication date
2000Notes
A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.EThOS Persistent ID
uk.bl.ethos.327716Language
- en