Nina Barbieri
University of Houston-Downtown, Criminal Justice, Faculty Member
Research on student willingness to report peer weapon carrying points to the importance of school climate and contributions favorable to reporting. This study fills a gap by examining the etiology of willingness to report weapons on... more
Research on student willingness to report peer weapon carrying points to the importance of school climate and contributions favorable to reporting. This study fills a gap by examining the etiology of willingness to report weapons on campus using predictors at the individual- and school levels. We utilize data from high school student self-reporting; results suggest that 34% of students reported having seen or having personal knowledge of a weapon in school in the prior 3 months. Students who report higher levels of school attachment, seeing or knowing of a weapon, have higher grades, and know about security measures were significantly more likely to report seeing weapons. Implications are discussed.
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focused primarily on the negative effects, this seeks to understand the nuanced reasoning and results of joining a gang explicitly on... more
ABSTRACT Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focused primarily on the negative effects, this seeks to understand the nuanced reasoning and results of joining a gang explicitly on the youth’s perceptions of self-esteem, efficacy, and identity. Using the longitudinal assessment of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program, propensity score matching was conducted on four attitudinal measures to determine whether positive outcomes were seen among adolescents reporting one-time gang involvement. Results indicate a positive effect on self-identity measures. Discussion of these findings illustrates the need for future research and policy implications.
Research Interests:
In order to better understand the role that local and national concerns have in our understanding of and response to school shooting events, a content analysis of media coverage of school shootings perpetrated in the United States and... more
In order to better understand the role that local and national concerns have in our understanding of and response to school shooting events, a content analysis of media coverage of school shootings perpetrated in the United States and Germany was conducted. Definitions of what constitutes a problem in need of policy responses vary between countries and across incidents, which becomes evident as cultural differences are examined. Six school shootings in two countries – the United States and Germany - were selected for comparison based on similarities in degree of violence and severity. News articles of the incidents were then examined for differences in thematic responses and reactions to the events between the two countries. Findings suggest that while media in both countries focused on individual related factors as the cause of school shootings, German reactions were more likely to call for state sponsored changes when compared to American media. Implications for understanding the role that media reaction has in affecting policy and areas for future research are discussed.
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT General Strain Theory (GST) places importance on the experience of negative emotional states resulting from exposure to stressful and/or negative events. Subsequent research has suggested that identifying strain might be... more
ABSTRACT General Strain Theory (GST) places importance on the experience of negative emotional states resulting from exposure to stressful and/or negative events. Subsequent research has suggested that identifying strain might be contingent upon the use of objective or subjective measures of strain, and that the types of delinquent outcomes assessed might mediate the significance of the findings. Using a sample of nontraditional high school students, this study examines whether objective or subjective measures of academic strain will explain involvement in both substance use (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs) or delinquent offending. We conclude with results and policy implications.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research on student willingness to report peer weapon carrying points to the importance of school climate and contributions favorable to reporting. This study fills a gap by examining the etiology of willingness to report weapons on... more
Research on student willingness to report peer weapon carrying points to the importance of school climate and contributions favorable to reporting. This study fills a gap by examining the etiology of willingness to report weapons on campus using predictors at the individual- and school levels. We utilize data from high school student self-reporting; results suggest that 34 % of students reported having seen or having personal knowledge of a weapon in school in the prior 3 months. Students who report higher levels of school attachment, seeing or knowing of a weapon, have higher grades, and know about security measures were significantly more likely to report seeing weapons. Implications are discussed.
Research on student willingness to report peer weapon carrying points to the importance of school climate and contributions favorable to reporting. This study fills a gap by examining the etiology of willingness to report weapons on... more
Research on student willingness to report peer weapon carrying points to the importance of school climate and contributions favorable to reporting. This study fills a gap by examining the etiology of willingness to report weapons on campus using predictors at the individual- and school levels. We utilize data from high school student self-reporting; results suggest that 34 % of students reported having seen or having personal knowledge of a weapon in school in the prior 3 months. Students who report higher levels of school attachment, seeing or knowing of a weapon, have higher grades, and know about security measures were significantly more likely to report seeing weapons. Implications are discussed.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Recently, Agnew suggested that delinquent offending is more likely to occur in the presence of a variety of criminogenic risk factors. Prior research has suggested that racial and ethnic differences exist in both the type and frequency of... more
Recently, Agnew suggested that delinquent offending is more likely to occur in the presence of a variety of criminogenic risk factors. Prior research has suggested that racial and ethnic differences exist in both the type and frequency of negative life experiences as well as coping mechanisms utilized in response to these strains. The current study sought to determine the relationship between prior victimization and a coping mechanism on subsequent offending, while controlling for the role of criminogenic risk factors. Racial and ethnic differences were also explored. Results revealed mixed support for general strain theory’s arguments on the unequivocal import of victimization as well as racial and ethnic differences in the impact of strain and religiosity on future offending. Future research considering criminal propensities and racial/ethnic differences are needed.
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focused primarily on the negative effects, this seeks to understand the nuanced reasoning and results of joining a gang explicitly on... more
ABSTRACT Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focused primarily on the negative effects, this seeks to understand the nuanced reasoning and results of joining a gang explicitly on the youth’s perceptions of self-esteem, efficacy, and identity. Using the longitudinal assessment of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program, propensity score matching was conducted on four attitudinal measures to determine whether positive outcomes were seen among adolescents reporting one-time gang involvement. Results indicate a positive effect on self-identity measures. Discussion of these findings illustrates the need for future research and policy implications.
Research Interests:
Research on student willingness to report peer weapon carrying points to the importance of school climate and contributions favorable to reporting. This study fills a gap by examining the etiology of willingness to report weapons on... more
Research on student willingness to report peer weapon carrying points to the importance of school climate and contributions favorable to reporting. This study fills a gap by examining the etiology of willingness to report weapons on campus using predictors at the individual- and school levels. We utilize data from high school student self-reporting; results suggest that 34% of students reported having seen or having personal knowledge of a weapon in school in the prior 3 months. Students who report higher levels of school attachment, seeing or knowing of a weapon, have higher grades, and know about security measures were significantly more likely to report seeing weapons. Implications are discussed.
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT
Research Interests:
In order to better understand the role that local and national concerns have in our understanding of and response to school shooting events, a content analysis of media coverage of school shootings perpetrated in the United States and... more
In order to better understand the role that local and national concerns have in our understanding of and response to school shooting events, a content analysis of media coverage of school shootings perpetrated in the United States and Germany was conducted. Definitions of what constitutes a problem in need of policy responses vary between countries and across incidents, which becomes evident as cultural differences are examined. Six school shootings in two countries – the United States and Germany - were selected for comparison based on similarities in degree of violence and severity. News articles of the incidents were then examined for differences in thematic responses and reactions to the events between the two countries. Findings suggest that while media in both countries focused on individual related factors as the cause of school shootings, German reactions were more likely to call for state sponsored changes when compared to American media. Implications for understanding the role that media reaction has in affecting policy and areas for future research are discussed.
Research Interests:
As of 2012, it was estimated that there were more than 30,000 active gangs in the United States with at least 850,000 members. Despite significant challenges that criminal justice agencies and personnel face in treating and supervising... more
As of 2012, it was estimated that there were more than 30,000 active gangs in the United States with at least 850,000 members. Despite significant challenges that criminal justice agencies and personnel face in treating and supervising gang members, few studies have examined adult gang member outcomes and the effects of community supervision on gang-affiliated offenders. Recent research demonstrates mixed evidence that high-risk offenders have better outcomes in smaller problem-solving courts and programs, which have dual emphasis on rehabilitation and deterrence-based approaches to corrections. This study evaluates the efficacy of the Supervision with Immediate Enforcement (SWIFT) Court Program for young adult gang–affiliated probationers compared with non-SWIFT gang members and high-risk non-gang offenders. Findings indicated SWIFT had a moderate deterrent impact on offending compared with alternative probation sanctions. Results and discussion related to problem-solving courts an...
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT General Strain Theory (GST) places importance on the experience of negative emotional states resulting from exposure to stressful and/or negative events. Subsequent research has suggested that identifying strain might be... more
ABSTRACT General Strain Theory (GST) places importance on the experience of negative emotional states resulting from exposure to stressful and/or negative events. Subsequent research has suggested that identifying strain might be contingent upon the use of objective or subjective measures of strain, and that the types of delinquent outcomes assessed might mediate the significance of the findings. Using a sample of nontraditional high school students, this study examines whether objective or subjective measures of academic strain will explain involvement in both substance use (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs) or delinquent offending. We conclude with results and policy implications.