| 21. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie
(författare)
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In and Out of Criminality and Substance Abuse : Life Stories
- 2015
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Many would agree that desistance from crime and substance abuse is a process and not a one-time event. In order to enhance the understanding of this process, a small number of interviews were conducted to listen to the subjective voices of individuals that have been through the hazards of trying to repeatedly leave a life of crime and substance abuse. Men and women in the ages between 20-50 yrs. of age were asked to narrate their own life stories. The purpose of the study was to investigate the lives of people with repeated substance abuse and criminal behavior. Semi-structured interviews were used in order to give the narrators the freedom of conveying freely their life story and yet giving the interviewer opportunity to ask about and thus cover aspects of their lives known in the literature as risk factors to develop antisocial behavior. The subjects were recruited by the general manager together with a psychiatric consultant at a treatment center for repeated and hard to treat individuals with sever substance abuse problems and criminal behavior. Results will convey both the power and challenges of individual perceptions on family and social bonds and utilization of health care.
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| 22. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie
(författare)
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Internationalising the Curriculum : Benefits and Challenges in a Swedish Case
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (JoTL). - : Malmö universitet. - 2004-4097. ; 3:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Globalisering och internationellt berikade lärandemiljöer värderas högt i högre utbildning idag. För att möta denna efterfrågan påbörjades en utvecklingsprocess att internationalisera mastersprogrammet på institutionen för kriminologi vid Malmö universitet. Internationalisering inom forskning som bedrevs på institutionens var redan etablerad och internationella utbytesavtal existerade också men utnyttjades endast på en väldigt begränsad nivå då institutionen inte hade kurser på engelska. Studenter som studerade på programmen kunde åka iväg på utbyte men inga inkommande utbytesstudenter kom in. Engelska som undervisningsspråk introducerades därför. Denna text beskriver planen, implementeringen och utvärderingen av denna utvecklingsprocess. Processen omfattar en initial omvärldsanalys, stödjande seminarier och workshops för både studenter och medarbetare samt en processutvärdering. Avslutningsvis presenteras reflektioner kring processen samt konkluderande kommentarer från programmets externa utvärdering.
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| 23. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Psychopathy and violence in juvenile delinquents : What are the associated factors?
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Journal of Law and Psychiatry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0160-2527 .- 1873-6386. ; 31:3, s. 272-279
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of the present study was a) to examine the discriminative power of the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD), aggressive traits, impulsiveness, antisocial attitudes and alcohol-related problems between subgroups of Russian juvenile delinquents (n = 175) with low versus high levels of violent behavior; and b) to compare the predictive value of these variables in two subgroups defined by higher versus lower levels of psychopathic traits. Results demonstrated that the APSD score, traits of physical aggression and alcohol-related problems were able to discriminate between groups with various levels of violence. Furthermore, the level of violence was the only variant factor when comparing levels of psychopathy. Finally, different sets of predictors emerged for the group with higher versus lower psychopathy scores. The results are discussed in relation to specific features of psychopathy and environmental factors in general and the use of alcohol in particular.
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| 24. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie, 1974-
(författare)
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Psychosocial adjustment problems : Individual and acculturation differences
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis addresses individual and environmental risk factors in the development of adjustment problems and antisocial behaviour. Namely, temperament and character, anxiety, psychopathic-like traits, antisocial attitudes, alcohol use, and parental rearing strategies are explored as risk factors for behaviour problems in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. When interpreting results of specific studies, an ecological framework is applied to take into account socio-cultural and acculturation circumstances. In Studies I and II, the subjects under investigation are incarcerated Russian detainees aged 14-19 years (n=250). The main purpose of Study I was to investigate the validity of the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD) in a sample of Russian juvenile delinquents. Study II examined the relationship between psychopathy and violent behaviour. An association between psychopathy and quality of life is explored in Study III, using a sample of Swedish early criminals and controls aged 38-41 years (n=199). In Study IV, international and national college students aged 17-51 years (n=246), are studied regarding perceived adjustment stressors and acculturational differences. The results suggested good validity of the APSD in the Russian male detainees. Additionally, the results support a dimensional aspect of the psychopathy construct as measured by the PCL and APSD, and suggest that individual and environmental antecedents of psychopathy may differ between the distinct psychopathy factors. The more violent group showed higher levels of psychopathic traits and physical aggression, had more alcohol related problems, and perceived antisocial behavior as more ‘normative’. Moreover, impulsiveness, anger, verbal aggression and antisocial attitudes discriminated between the psychopathic and non-psychopathic subgroups. The results further indicated that self reported quality of life was poorer among individuals with psychopathic-like traits. Finally, grouping the detainees, criminals and controls, as well as the students according to their unique needs seemed to be beneficial, not only regarding psychopathic-like traits, violent behaviour and antisocial attitudes, but also in the context of acculturation and adjustment processes.
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| 25. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of Life in Different Male Offender Groups – Possible Underlying Effects of Intelligence and Psychopathic Tendencies
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Forensic Science & Criminology. - : Annex Publishers, LLC. - 2348-9804. ; 4:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The role of psychopathic tendencies and intelligence on Quality of life (QoL) ratings in different male offender groups was explored. Participants were 199 Swedish males with a history of criminality at age 11-14 and matched controls from the longitudinal project Young Lawbreakers as Adults. Based on registered crimes prior to 15 years and up to 34 years of age, four criminal groups were yielded: non-criminals (NC); adolescence-limited (AL); persistent (P); and adult-onset (AO). The QoL construct consists of the following dimensions: Self-perception, Psychological health, Family, Children, Education, Work, and Finances, all self-rated at age 38-41 when also psychopathic tendencies were clinically assessed using the Psychopathy Check List (PCL). The P group reported lower QoL in all dimensions compared to the NC and AL groups and lower QoL regarding Family and Education than the AO group. When controlling for psychopathic tendencies, the group differences in QoL regarding Self-perception and Children was no longer significant. Generally, individuals with higher IQ scores rated higher QoL than individuals with lower IQ scores. IQ however did not explain the divergence in QoL between offender groups. Psychopathic tendencies are suggested to overtake the importance of group belonging regarding the QoL dimensions of Self-perception and Children.
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| 26. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of Life - Towards an understanding of individuals with psychopathic tendencies
- 2009
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Ingår i: Personality and Mental Health. - : Wiley. - 1932-8621 .- 1932-863X. ; 3:3, s. 183-192
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objectives are to explore: (1) the association between psychopathy and self-rated quality of life; and (2) the possible role of childhood hyperactivity on the relationships between Psychopathy Checklist (PCL) scores and self-rated domains of Quality of Life (QoL). Male subjects with a history of criminality at age 11-14 years (n = 108) and matched controls (n = 59) from a Swedish longitudinal project were studied. Self-rated QoL domains of psychological health, family relationships and work satisfaction were dichotomized and used as dependent variables in calculations of odds ratios (ORs) with dichotomized PCL scores as the independent variable, as assessed at age 38-41. The results showed that for each of the three QoL domains, the proportion of individuals that reported dissatisfaction was significantly higher in both criminals and controls characterized by psychopathic tendencies (PT) compared with the groups with no psychopathic tendencies. Furthermore, the results revealed higher strata-specific risk of dissatisfaction among the PT individuals for two of the domains: psychological health (OR = 6.58) and work satisfaction (OR = 7.98). Childhood hyperactivity individuals were overrepresented in the PT group. However, hyperactivity did not confound the association between PCL and QoL. The results are discussed in the light of possible treatment implications.
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| 27. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Self-Reported Mental Health and Risky Lifestyle in Swedish Youth
- 2014
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Ingår i: Book of Abstracts. - : European Society of Criminology. ; , s. 465-465
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Self-reported mental health and risky lifestyle in Swedish youth Marie Väfors Fritz (Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Sweden), Anna-Karin Ivert (Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Sweden) Mental ill-health has become increasingly common among youth in Sweden. Mental ill-health and criminality are substantial public health problems in terms of human suffering as well as direct and indirect societal costs. A particularly vulnerable group to experience mental health problems and subsequent consequences are immigrants and immigrants’ children. Identification difficulties, social constrains and psychosomatic symptoms are some of the arduousness experienced by immigrants and reflect the hurdles of acculturation. Another vulnerable group in terms of specific mental health symptoms constitutes half of the population, females. More females than ever seek help and treatment for depression, alcohol abuse and suicidal attempts and recommendations are to develop a knowledge base and lead local discussions to stop this down spiral trend. Hence, the purpose of the present study is to investigate mental health and lifestyles among 15-16 year olds living in Malmo, Sweden. The first aim is to explore how these youths report their mental health according to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Secondly, the relationship between reported mental health and problematic lifestyle (such as drinking, smoking, and delinquency) will be explored. Lastly, possible differences in mental health and lifestyles across sex and ethnicity will be investigated. Results indicate differences in self-reported mental health across sex and ethnic groups.
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| 28. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Stressors, Anxiety and Adjustment among International and North American Students
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Journal of Intercultural Relations. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-1767 .- 1873-7552. ; 32:3, s. 244-259
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The acculturation process generally contributes greatly to stress and anxiety levels among international students. The objectives of the present study were: (1) to see whether international students experience more anxiety, irritability, and stress from being apart from family and friends, pressure from school, difficulties with language, work and finances than students with permanent US residency, and (2) to investigate the same stressors in groups within the international student population. Surveys were distributed to 246 students aged 17–51 at an ethnically diverse community college in Southern California, US. Analysis of variance was conducted to investigate group differences between students: permanent US residents vs. international students, and, permanent US residents vs. European and Asian students, respectively. No significant differences were found between international students and students with permanent US residency. However, when the international student population was sub-grouped by above cultural regions a different pattern emerged. Difficulties of not being able to work and of socially related problems were perceived as more severe for the European and the Asian groups, while finance problems were hard for all three groups. The variable of language difficulties was harder for Asian students, while that of stress of being apart from family was harder for students from Europe. Findings are not only congruent with prior research results on international students but also demonstrate that international students with culturally diverse needs should not be considered as one homogenous group. It is suggested that educational systems need to properly adapt in order to accommodate international students’ unique cultural needs.
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| 29. |
- Väfors Fritz, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Women’s pathways to substance use and offending : qualitative in-depth interviews
- 2017
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There is a well-established connection between substance abuse and offending for both men and women. Further, risk factors that increase likelihood of developing substance abuse and offending are generally thoroughly researched, yet specific female risk factors are under-researched. More research on gender-specific pathways to substance abuse and offending is therefore warranted. Thus, the overall aim of the current study was to explore how Swedish women with a history of substance use and offending describe their lives in terms of what factors they consider having contributed to their life style of substance abuse and crime. First general themes identified through the subjective voices of individuals will be described; second results from in-depth analyses of the material will be discussed. The data consists of ten in-depth qualitative interviews with clients at treatment facilities for substance abuse. In the interviews, they were asked to talk freely about their lives, and their narratives were analyzed using systematic text condensation. The results suggests that 1) the women’s substance abuse is a way of coping with adverse internal and external factors, 2) the women’s relationships to their family, peers, and significant others have been central for their substance abuse and offending, and 3) substance abuse and offending are closely linked. These women’s risk fac- tors for substance abuse and offending occur on different structural levels and in different life stages as will be discussed. A comprehensive view of substance abuse and offending is therefore crucial when attempting to find generative mechanisms.
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