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Historically, definitions of serial murder in the academic and professional literature vary, sometimes considerably, based on numbers of victims, offender intent, and presence or absence of a psychological "cooling-off period." To date, an agreed upon definition remains elusive. This study uses a multinomial regression analysis to examine important homicidal behavioral characteristics of serial killers (N = 1,258) in the US concerning offenders who killed two victims compared to counterparts who murdered three, four or five, and six or more victims, respectively. Important case characteristics between categories are observed and discussed. Findings support definitional recommendations that include a minimum victim threshold of three. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Pegging"--the sexual practice among heterosexual couples of ciswomen/females anally penetrating (e.g., with strap-on devices, sex toys, etc.) cis-men/males--has not been examined by academic researchers. The present qualitative study focuses on the most "special" or "amazing" (optimal) experiences associated with pegging as described by those (N=15) who engage regularly in such practices. Findings show that context and timing are often important for exemplary pegging experiences. Furthermore, optimal pegging experiences tend to be associated with newness and novelty, a deep connection with partners, higher levels of psychosexual arousal and fulfillment, and increased pleasurable sensation. Some implications of these findings are also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical reflection is important to vital process issues within social work practice; thus, it warrants attention in teaching and supervisory contexts. Autoethnography is a newer qualitative research methodology that uses the experiences of the author/researcher to extend social science understanding (Sparkes, 2000). In this article, the authors use autoethnography to frame critical reflection as a process of exploring social work knowledge and its potential implications, given that such knowledge is situated within fragmented and diverse selves and identities. Thus, good autoethnography is a unique way of accessing knowledge within intersubjective realities, which simultaneously generates a form of critical reflection (the comparison and assessment of emergent knowledge situated within selves and identities). Purposely incorporating an autoethnographic strategy, the authors draw from their experiences to show how personal narratives, the core of autoethnography, might be used to infuse critical reflection into social work education and practice.

This study brings to light a neglected topic of particular importance--offender gambling issues within the context of re-entry into the community. Fifteen correctional professionals from Nevada (high gambling availability) and Utah (no legalized gambling) participated in semi-structured interviews to provide insights into how gambling may impact the offender re-entry process in their respective locations. While gambling in prisons and jails may be common, offender gambling issues upon re-entry reportedly are associated with substance abuse and the commission of crime. Participants in both Utah and Nevada reported a lack of resources for dealing with offender gambling issues. Implications for offender re-entry are discussed.

Because of significant recent budget cuts across the U.S., various correctional services have been targeted for possible elimination (Polson, 2002). Correctional recreation (CR) often appears to be viewed by policy makers, correctional administrators and staff as an offender privilege or perhaps even a luxury, and such programs frequently struggle to maintain their existence (Finn, 1996). In this article, we explore why CR may be viewed as being expendable, the potential substantial contributions CR may be capable of making to psychotherapeutic rehabilitation efforts based on a multidisciplinary literature review, and suggestions for how such potential contributions might be realized. Our conclusion is that the rehabilitative potential of CR needs to be empirically determined, but that it is premature for policy makers and corrections administrators to give CR the death penalty.

Abstract In recent years, there has been growing interest among scholars in sexual practices as leisure behavior. The present study focused on “pegging,” which is a new term for the sexual practice of biological females (vagina) anally penetrating (i.e. with strap-on devices, sex toys) biological males (penis) among heterosexual couples. Drawing on our connections within alternative sexuality communities, we interviewed 17 individuals (10 peggers and 7 peggees) to investigate how their pegging practices may reflect specific leisure qualities. Findings suggest that pegging functions primarily as casual leisure largely in the forms of sensory stimulation, play, active entertainment, and pleasurable aerobic activity (for peggers using strap-ons). Pegging was associated with significant relationship benefits for participants, including thorough communication, trust, shared intimacy, and mutual pleasure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of fun in initiating and sustaining sport involvement, and despite the critical role that coaches play in the success of youth sport programs, few attempts have been made at exploring coaches' perceptions of fun in youth sport. Eighteen youth sport coaches participated in semi-structured interviews. The purposes of this study were to gain a better understanding of coaches' perceptions of fun in youth sport and of how they attempt to bring fun into the youth sport experience. Qualitative analyses revealed the salience of three themes: (a) the apparent conflict between skill development and fun; (b) the different meanings of fun; and (c) promoting fun as a matter of being and of doing. Results are discussed in light of available literature on fun/enjoyment in sport. Possibilities for intervention with youth sport coaches are offered.