"Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs

The aim of the current study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of females who have previously been affiliated with gangs using semi-structured interviews and reflective thematic analysis. The research questions focused on women’s experiences and perceptions related to joining the gangs,...

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Main Author: Lowe, Olivia
Format: Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
Language:English
Published: 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/71121/
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author Lowe, Olivia
author_facet Lowe, Olivia
author_sort Lowe, Olivia
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description The aim of the current study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of females who have previously been affiliated with gangs using semi-structured interviews and reflective thematic analysis. The research questions focused on women’s experiences and perceptions related to joining the gangs, their relationships in the gang and their desistance from gang affiliation. Numerous themes were established from the women’s accounts, which highlighted the complex range of individual experiences, family and societal factors that acted to increase their risk of becoming affiliated with gangs and increased their vulnerability to adverse experiences within the gang. A range of factors that led to their desistance were explored, alongside the factors that aided them to remain unaffiliated with the gang and form a positive new identity. The outcomes of this research have relevance to many professionals working with young women, including educationalists, law enforcement, social care, and psychologists. Implications around individual and systemic preventative and intervention support are discussed alongside implications for future research.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T20:54:52Z
format Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
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institution University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
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language English
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publishDate 2022
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spelling nottingham-711212022-12-14T04:40:06Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/71121/ "Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs Lowe, Olivia The aim of the current study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of females who have previously been affiliated with gangs using semi-structured interviews and reflective thematic analysis. The research questions focused on women’s experiences and perceptions related to joining the gangs, their relationships in the gang and their desistance from gang affiliation. Numerous themes were established from the women’s accounts, which highlighted the complex range of individual experiences, family and societal factors that acted to increase their risk of becoming affiliated with gangs and increased their vulnerability to adverse experiences within the gang. A range of factors that led to their desistance were explored, alongside the factors that aided them to remain unaffiliated with the gang and form a positive new identity. The outcomes of this research have relevance to many professionals working with young women, including educationalists, law enforcement, social care, and psychologists. Implications around individual and systemic preventative and intervention support are discussed alongside implications for future research. 2022-12-14 Thesis (University of Nottingham only) NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en cc_by https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/71121/1/FINAL%20Submitted%20to%20e-prints%20version.pdf Lowe, Olivia (2022) "Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs. DAppEdPsy thesis, University of Nottingham. Gang members female gang members UK gang affiliation
spellingShingle Gang members
female gang members
UK
gang affiliation
Lowe, Olivia
"Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs
title "Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs
title_full "Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs
title_fullStr "Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs
title_full_unstemmed "Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs
title_short "Victim, survivor, thriver": An exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs
title_sort "victim, survivor, thriver": an exploration of the perceptions and experiences of females previously affiliated with gangs
topic Gang members
female gang members
UK
gang affiliation
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/71121/