Fergus Gilmour Neville

The experience of collective participation: shared identity, relatedness and emotionality

This paper presents three studies that explore the experience of participating in crowd events. Analysis of semi-structured interviews with football supporters and student demonstrators is used to illustrate the role that shared identity plays in transforming within-crowd social relations (relatedness), and the positive impact this has upon emotionality of collective experience. Questionnaire data collected at a music festival are then used to confirm these claims. The paper argues for a conceptual distinction between shared identity and self-categorisation, and against the contention in classic crowd psychology that a loss of identity is at the root of collective emotion. It concludes by suggesting avenues for future research, including the potential role for collective experience in encouraging future co-action.

Core disgust is attenuated by ingroup relations

Significance Two experiments showed that where there is shared identity with others in a group the disgust experienced at smelling their sweat is significantly attenuated, and willingness to interact with them increased, compared with when the sweat was from an outgroup member or another individual. This difference is explained by the similarity to self of ingroup members. The analysis points to both the importance of social group boundaries in moderating the experience of “core” physical disgust and also the importance of disgust in the analysis of basic group processes, including the ability of group members to cohere and work together. We present the first experimental evidence to our knowledge that ingroup relations attenuate core disgust and that this helps explain the ability of groups to coact. In study 1, 45 student participants smelled a sweaty t-shirt bearing the logo of another university, with either their student identity (ingroup condition), their specific university identity (outgroup condition), or their personal identity (interpersonal condition) made salient. Self-reported disgust was lower in the ingroup condition than in the other conditions, and disgust mediated the relationship between condition and willingness to interact with target. In study 2, 90 student participants smelled a sweaty target t-shirt bearing either the logo of their own university, another university, or no logo, with either their student identity or their specific university identity made salient. Walking time to wash hands and pumps of soap indicated that disgust was lower where the relationship between participant and target was ingroup rather than outgroup or ambivalent (no logo).

An Experimental Trial Exploring the Impact of Continuous Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring upon Alcohol Consumption in a Cohort of Male Students

Objective To examine the impact of continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring upon alcohol consumption in male students at a Scottish university. Method Using a within-subject mixed-methods design, 60 male university students were randomly allocated into three experimental conditions using AUDIT score stratified sampling. Participants in Conditions A and B were asked not to consume alcohol for a 14-day period, with those in Condition A additionally being required to wear a continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring anklet. Condition C participants wore an anklet and were asked to continue consuming alcohol as normal. Alcohol consumption was measured through alcohol timeline follow-back, and using data collected from the anklets where available. Diaries and focus groups explored participants’ experiences of the trial. Results Alcohol consumption during the 14-day trial decreased significantly for participants in Conditions A and B, but not in C. There was no significant relative difference in units of alcohol consumed between Conditions A and B, but significantly fewer participants in Condition A drank alcohol than in Condition B. Possible reasons for this difference identified from the focus groups and diaries included the anklet acting as a reminder of commitment to the study (and the agreement to sobriety), participants feeling under surveillance, and the use of the anklet as a tool to resist social pressure to consume alcohol. Conclusions The study provided experience in using continuous transdermal alcohol monitors in an experimental context, and demonstrated ways in which the technology may be supportive in facilitating sobriety. Results from the study have been used to design a research project using continuous transdermal alcohol monitors with ex-offenders who recognise a link between their alcohol consumption and offending behaviour.

Association Between Old Firm Football Matches and Reported Domestic (Violence) Incidents in Strathclyde, Scotland

Media reports have suggested that the number of reports of domestic violence may increase when Scotland’s two largest, Glasgow-based football (soccer) clubs, Rangers and Celtic (traditionally referred to as the “Old Firm”) play one another. This study considers the number of domestic (violence) incidents reported to Strathclyde Police between 2008 and 2011 in the 24 hours following these matches, and compares it with the number reported during two appropriate comparator periods. There is a statistically significant increase in the number of reports following Old Firm matches compared with the comparator periods. This preliminary analysis confirms previous speculation concerning the association between Old Firm matches and reports of domestic violence, and highlights the need to better understand the factors leading to such violence to inform preventive interventions.

Qualitative evaluation of the Mentors in Violence Prevention pilot in Scottish high schools

Objective: The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program originated in the United States and adopts a bystander approach to gender-based violence prevention by harnessing group processes using a peer-learning model. This paper presents the first qualitative evaluation, within a European context, of a pilot application of MVP within a Scottish high school setting. Method: The evaluation comprises a series of interviews and focus groups with school staff, and pupils (‘mentors’ and ‘mentees’) at 3 participating schools. The study’s research purposes are to explore (a) experiences of participating in MVP, (b) participants’ perceived impact of MVP (with regards attitudinal and behavioral change with a particular emphasis on social norms), and (c) participants’ opinions on the relevance and sustainability of MVP. Results: All 3 categories of participant reported generally positive experiences of MVP in terms of recruitment, training, and implementation. The peer-learning model was particularly useful in engaging mentees, and facilitating support networks outside the classroom. Moreover, positive attitudinal and behavioral change regarding gender-based violence was reported by all 3 participant categories, but was particularly prevalent among mentors. However, participants highlighted the importance of ensuring MVP is culturally relevant, and the need for integration into school life to ensure its sustainability. Conclusions: An initial qualitative analysis of MVP within Scottish High Schools suggests the peer-learning program was experienced positively, with self-reported impact on gender-based violence attitudes and behaviors (including bystander intervention). A number of recommendations have been made to inform future implementation of MVP, and the need for robust, ongoing evaluation.

Preliminary research informing policy on remote alcohol monitoring in criminal justice: the Scottish experience

ObjectivesTo explore the views of Scottish offenders on the impact of alcohol on their experience of offending and their lives in general. Furthermore, to explore their views on the concept of remote alcohol monitoring (RAM) as a way to address alcohol misuse upon liberation from prison.MethodsA convenience sample of 12 serving offenders participated in one of three focus groups. Data were analysed using the principles of thematic analysis.ResultsAnalysis of the data revealed the significant impact of alcohol on the lives of the participants. Key themes included the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption; the association of alcohol with harm; the association of alcohol with offending; the previous attempts to reduce alcohol consumption and possible reasons for failure; and the views of participants on the utility of RAM in relation to crime prevention.ConclusionsParticipants had significant issues with alcohol misuse prior to incarceration that had impacted on their offending and resulted in both health and social harms. Participants were generally positive but pragmatic about RAM, recognising that technology alone may not be enough to change deeply ingrained and addictive behaviours.

Trends in the sexual behaviour of 15-year olds in Scotland : 2002-2014

Background Early sexual initiation and inadequate contraceptive use can place adolescents at increased risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. These behaviours are patterned by gender and may be linked to social inequalities. This paper examines trends in sexual initiation and contraceptive use by gender and family affluence for Scottish adolescents. Methods Cross-sectional data from four nationally representative survey cycles (2002, 2004, 2010, 2014) (n = 8895) (mean age = 15.57) were analysed. Logistic regressions examined the impact of survey year on sexual initiation, condom use and birth control pill (BCP) use at last sex; as well as any changes over time in association between family affluence and the three sexual behaviours. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results Between 2002 and 2014, adolescent males and females became less likely to report having had sex. Low family affluence females were more likely to have had sex than high family affluence females, and this relationship did not change over time. Condom use at last sex was reported less by males since 2002, and by females since 2006. Low family affluence males and females were less likely to use condoms than high family affluence participants, and these relationships did not change over time. There were no effects of time or family affluence for BCP use. Conclusion There has been a reduction in the proportion of 15-year olds in Scotland who have ever had sex, but also a decrease in condom use for this group. Economic inequalities persist for sexual initiation and condom use.

Brief interventions for reducing violence: a rapid review of evaluations and recommendations

Abstract Background Interpersonal violence among young men is a major public health problem in Scotland, UK. Treatment for violent injury might represent a teachable moment to provide a brief intervention for reducing violence. To inform development of such an intervention, a review was undertaken to examine existing models of brief intervention, and to assess evidence of their effect. Methods We searched three databases (Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and PsycINFO) for articles published in English before March 11, 2013, using the following criteria: violence (Violen* OR Agress* OR Assault* OR Homicide OR Murder OR GBH OR Grievous Bodily Harm OR ABH OR Actual Bodily Harm), intervention (Interven* OR Program* OR Initiative), intervention length (Brief OR Rapid OR Short), and sex of participants (Male* OR man OR boy* OR men). After removal of duplicates, 553 articles were retrieved. Titles and abstracts were independently appraised with prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria by three authors resulting in 50 full texts. Articles were most commonly excluded for describing interventions that were group-based or part of a long-term programme. Full texts were reviewed by the first author, identifying eight distinct brief interventions for reducing violence. Findings The key findings of the review included: the use of brief motivational interviewing for engaging with at-risk participants; the value of social norms approaches for correcting peer norm misperceptions; the benefit of working with victims of violence in medical settings (particularly oral and maxillofacial surgeries); the importance of addressing alcohol in violent encounters; the advantages of computer-therapist hybrid models of delivery; and the need for adequate follow-up evaluation as part of a randomised controlled trial. Interpretation The review was a valuable exercise in assessing the existence of brief interventions for reducing violence and summarising their key characteristics. It was, however, constrained by the potentially overly restrictive search criteria, which limited the number of included interventions and follow-up data for some interventions, thereby preventing assessment of effectiveness. Nonetheless, brief interventions are potentially useful in the prevention of interpersonal violence among young men. The findings of the review will inform the development of a brief intervention for reducing violence with young men in Scotland who have sustained injuries through interpersonal violence. Funding Violence Reduction Unit (Police Scotland).