Research Information System
Women and Criminal Justice, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
The reasons underlying women’s involvement in crime are shaped by gender-specific dynamics. It is widely recognized that examining the coping methods of women who have committed crimes is important for preventing recidivism among women. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate coping strategies that prevent recidivism among women under probation. A phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research methods, was adopted in the study. The participants consisted of 10 women aged 18 and over, all of whom were under probation for different types of offenses. The research data were collected in accordance with ethical principles in a private interview room at the Eskişehir Probation Directorate in Eskişehir, Turkey (Türkiye). The data collection tools included a “Personal Information Form” and a “Semi-Structured Interview Form,” both developed by the researcher. The qualitative data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using the inductive thematic analysis method via MAXQDA 24. As a result of the inductive thematic analysis conducted within the scope of this study, 5 main themes, 21 subthemes, and 4 sub-subthemes emerged. These themes were classified as follows: (1) individual coping strategies (e.g., developing cognitive awareness, emotion regulation), (2) social support–based coping strategies (e.g., support from family, partner), (3) behavioral change strategies (e.g., being solution-focused, avoiding risky environments and crime), (4) addiction-related coping strategies (e.g., avoiding substance use, receiving addiction treatment), and (5) socioeconomic empowerment strategies (e.g., empowerment through education, seeking or participating in employment). The findings indicate that the women on probation have developed multidimensional coping strategies that may be effective in preventing reoffending. It was concluded that taking these strategies into account within the scope of rehabilitative efforts conducted during the probation process could make a significant contribution to women’s recovery and reintegration into society.