Contextualising the Social Bond Theory: A Qualitative Analysis of Foreign Nationals’ Criminal Behaviour in South Africa

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23472083

Moitsadi Zitha (Department Criminology & Security Science, University of South Africa, South Africa)

This study examined the application of Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory to adult incarcerated offenders in four Gauteng Correctional Centres, South Africa. The theory identifies four primary elements, attachment, commitment, involvement and belief, that deter individuals from engaging in criminal behaviour. The study employed a qualitative research approach to explore participants’ lived experiences. Data were gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 40 purposively selected foreign national offenders who committed violent crimes. These interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework, which enabled a systematic identification, analysis, and interpretation of common patterns in the participants’ narratives. The study explored how disruptions in these social bonds contributed to their pathway into crime and how incarceration has impacted these connections. The application of Social Bonding Theory to adult offenders reveals that diminished attachment to family, a lack of commitment to prosocial goals, minimal involvement in conventional activities, and weakened belief in societal norms correlate with higher rates of offending. These dynamics can inform policymakers, thereby reducing recidivism.