Editorial

Citation

Lowe, M., Fry, D.P. and Ireland, N.G.-K.a.J.L. (2014), "Editorial", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Vol. 6 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-04-2014-0120

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Volume 6, Issue 3

Welcome to issue 6.3 of the Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research. This issue includes four papers that comprise a mix of broad multi-disciplinary work, focusing on both theoretical reviews and empirical examinations. Specifically, within this issue topics include: a review of the effects of terrorism on work attitudes; an evidence-based study relating to homophobic bullying among adolescents in the Republic of Ireland; an examination of weapon use by sexual offenders in the UK; and finally, a longitudinal study on the adult health effects of being involved in childhood bullying whilst at school. Further information on each paper now follows.

The first paper on this issue is authored by Omer Farooq Malik and colleagues, and provides a brief review of the effects of terrorism on work attitudes and behaviours and forwards a brief model that is ripe for further empirical investigation. This paper posits that potential or actual terrorist attacks create a significant fear level for individuals that cause negative work attitudes and behaviours in areas where terrorism is perceived to be probable. Relatively little research has been conducted to determine how organisations may be affected by terrorism via the reciprocal relationship between employee and organisational well-being, and this review offers suggestions for future work in this area.

Our second paper is authored by Stephen James Minton and examines the influence of demographics factors, such as age and gender, on homophobic bullying behaviours among adolescents (13-17 year olds) in the Republic of Ireland. The study found no evidence of age-related declines in reports of either general bullying behaviours or in homophobic bullying. Males were significantly more likely than females to report involvement in both bullying and homophobic bullying, as both perpetrators and victims. In terms of suggestions for interventions, it was concluded that older adolescents as well as their younger counterparts should be involved in anti-bullying programmes, with particular focus on males. Furthermore, the paper suggests that programmes specific to anti-homophobic bullying targeting pre-adolescent students should be supported in the Republic of Ireland.

The third paper of this issue, by Paul Dawson and colleagues, examines weapon use in UK sexual offenders. Weapon use is recognised as a key crime concern in England and Wales but has received relatively little research interest to date. This paper investigates the prevalence of weapon use, and explores the differences between weapon and non-weapon-enabled sexual offenders on a range of characteristics, utilising a sample of 1,618 single, stranger, solved, serious sexual assaults as provided by the Serious Crime Analysis Section of the Serious Organised Crime Agency. It was revealed that 20 per cent of the sample's sexual offenders were weapon enabled. There were few demographic differences between weapon-enabled and non-weapon-enabled offenders, but in regard to committed offences there were numerous significant differences between groups. The paper discusses the findings in terms of evidence of planning and themes of violence. The paper also provides further insights for the investigation of sexual crimes in the UK and beyond.

The final paper in this issue is authored by Jaimee Stuart and Paul Jose and examines longitudinally whether those who bully others in childhood (aged 7-12 years old) go on to have worse health outcomes in adulthood than non-bullies. A sample of 305 teacher-identified childhood bullies were selected from the Aberdeen Children of the 1950s cohort and matched with a sample of 305 non-bullies using Propensity Score Matching. Six health outcomes were tested (perceived support, depression, poor health, presence of a long-term illness, history of smoking, and frequent alcohol consumption). Categories of bullying engagement (bully, victim, bully-victim, not involved) were constructed and adult recollection of victimisation, and differences between these groups on health outcomes were evaluated. Results indicate that childhood bullying experiences, as both a perpetrator and victim, relate to negative health outcomes much later in life. These findings have long-term implications for anyone involved in education to attempt to prevent school bullying, or to stop its occurrence at the first opportunity.

As always, the current issue of the Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research provides the reader with a selection of theoretical and practice-based papers that aim to be thought-provoking and novel, which will expand current ideas on the study of aggression, conflict and peace, utilising mixed methodologies and cross-discipline perspectives. As always, the editorial team welcomes new submissions from a wide range of subject areas, theoretical backgrounds, and methodologies that further our theoretical and practical understanding of human aggression conflict and peace. We welcome submissions from academics, practitioners and policy makers alike. Submissions should be made through our ScholarOne site: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jacpr

Michelle Lowe, Douglas P. Fry, Nicola Graham-Kevan and Jane L. Ireland