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Highway to Hooliganism?: An Evaluation of the Impact of Combat Sport Participation on Individual Criminality

NCJ Number
236108
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2011 Pages: 117-131
Author(s)
Craig Jenkins; Tom Ellis
Date Published
2011
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study from the United Kingdom explored the ability of combat sports, such as boxing and martial arts, to affect the potential criminality of participants.
Abstract
The aim of this research was to evaluate whether combat sport has an impact on participants' criminality, and if so, whether combat sport is appropriate for use in offender treatment programs and crime reduction strategies. The paper first provides a comprehensive summary review of the existing evidence on the relationship between crime and sports participation in general, and then on crime and combat sports in particular. The paper then presents and discusses findings from new primary research designed to address the issues raised in the review. A semi-structured questionnaire, combining Likert scale items and open questions, was issued to 50 individuals who regularly trained at 2 different combat sports facilities. The research was designed to assess the relationship between combat sports participants and commonly experienced sociocultural and individual risk factors. Based on the findings, the authors argue that participation in combat sports can distance individuals from nonstructural risk factors in behavioral, community/social and economic spheres. Detachment from risks in these areas makes combat sport potentially appropriate for use within interventions aimed at: violent offenders; those who offend in groups; emotionally impulsive offenders; and as a moderator of antisocial behavior. However, further research is required to understand fully the impact of such interventions. (Published Abstract)