AXIS World – Journal of Applied Cross-disciplinary Insights

The Relationship Between Social Expenditure and Crime Rates: A Literature Review

Mustafa Baylan — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Social expenditure refers to public spending on unemployment, disability, pensions, education, and health with the aim of improving the level of social welfare. Crime, on the other hand, is defined as the whole of unlawful words and actions arising from various factors such as economic, social, psychological, familial causes, and oppositional attitudes toward public authority. One of the expected effects of social expenditures is to reduce crime rates by playing a deterrent role against crime. The aim of this study is to provide a general evaluation of the empirical literature on the relationship between social expenditures and crime. In the literature, there are studies finding that social expenditures reduce crime rates, as well as studies suggesting that they increase crime. In addition, some studies have found no significant relationship between social expenditures and crime rates. Studies examining the relationship between social expenditure and crime at the macro level generally focus on crime rates, whereas micro-level studies concentrate on individual deviant behavior and recidivism. A considerable number of existing studies have been conducted on the case of the United States. This study suggests that social expenditures should be increased.

Bibliometric Analysis of Sports and Social Media Research: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Saadettin Zor, Mehmet METIN — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to examine 1,441 academic publications on sports and social media in the Web of Science (WoS) database between 2010 and 2025 using bibliometric analysis methods. Analyses conducted using VOSviewer software focused on thematic evolution, authors, institutions, countries, citation, and publication trends. The findings reveal that the field initially took shape around the keywords “social media” and “sports,” but over time showed a thematic diversification towards sports marketing, management, fan engagement, athlete welfare, and advanced analytical methods. Geographically, the US, Australia, and the UK are in the lead, while at the institutional level, Griffith University, Indiana University, and Massey University stand out. Michael Naraine and Ann Pegoraro were identified as the most prolific authors, while Michelle Hayes and Andrea N. Eagleman were among the most cited researchers. A particularly noteworthy finding is that the “Sport Sciences” category ranks third with 208 publications (21.18%). This highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the field and shows that social media intersects with traditional areas of sports science such as athlete performance, psychology, and health. The study also reveals that, despite the rapid growth of the field, there are limitations such as geographical concentration, methodological constraints, and a lack of theoretical depth. For future research, it is recommended to develop interdisciplinary collaborations, focus on non-Western contexts, promote the use of advanced analytical methods, and strengthen the perspective of sports science. By outlining the current panorama of the field, this study provides a comprehensive roadmap for future research.

The Geopolitical and Legal Issues of the Intervention of the Wazalendo in The East of the DRC Against the M23 Rebellion Supported By Rwanda

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The resurgence of the rebellion of the March 23rd movement (The March 23 Movement is made up of former rebels of the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) integrated into the Congolese army following a peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009 between the CNDP and Kinshasa, who mutinied in April 2012, believing that the Congolese government was not respecting the terms of the agreement. On May 6, 2012, the rebellion adopted the name March 23 Movement, in reference to the peace agreement.). This movement receives support from the Rwanda’s government, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since 2022 has led to the emergence of the “Wazalendo” (Patriots) self-defense movement. This article analyzes the geopolitical and legal implications of their intervention. It examines the reasons for their involvement economic, strategic, and geopolitical and assesses their status under international law, debating whether their actions constitute a violation, a form of mandated self-defense, or an expression of security self-determination. The analysis explores the multifaceted impacts of the participation of the wazalendo: geopolitical, diplomatic, political, strategic, security, legal, economic, social and proxy wars. The article concludes that the Wazalendo currently operate as a de facto armed branch of the Congolese State in response to Rwandan aggression. Their existence highlights the challenge to the state’s recognized monopoly on violence and poses significant challenges for post-conflict stability, which will require disarmament and social integration of the Wazalendo into civilian or military life.

Examination of Coaches’ Communication Skills: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports

Muhammed KAPUÇAM, Ökkeş Alpaslan GENÇAY — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to examine the communication skills of coaches working at the Kahramanmaraş Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports in terms of demographic variables. The sample of this descriptively designed study consists of 200 coaches working at the Kahramanmaraş Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports during the 2025-2026 academic year. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form prepared by the researchers and the “Communication Skills Assessment Scale” developed by Korkut (1996). The findings of the study indicate that coaches possess strong communication skills. In the context of the demographic variables examined, it was concluded that age, gender, marital status, athletic background, and branch did not show a significant difference in the communication skills of coaches (p>0.05). However, it was observed that the communication skills of coaches differed according to the number of years they had worked at the institution (p<0.05). As the length of service of coaches at the institution increased, their communication skills also increased. This result is explained by the theories of organizational commitment and organizational support. It also shows that coaches’ communication skills are influenced by experience and organizational dynamics. Considering the importance of organizational dynamics in improving coaches’ communication skills, it is thought that it is important for organizations to develop policies that will increase their support and commitment perceptions.

Juvenile Delinquency: Family, Environment and Psychosocial Factors

Fatma Nur ŞENGÜL, Pınar Erdem — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Within the scope of this study, the concept of “crime” was examined from the perspective of children driven to delinquency. The social profile of these children was drawn, and the factors influencing their involvement in crime, as well as the impact of family and peer environments on criminal behavior, were explored. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing a semi-structured interview technique. To reach a representative sample of children from the study population, convenience sampling was used, with support from a key informant. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 children between June 15, 2024, and October 15, 2024. The interview data obtained were analyzed using content analysis and organized into themes. The study found that the majority of the children had committed crimes for the first time or only a few times, and these offenses primarily included theft, fighting, substance use, and running away from home. The children’s cigarette use was much more prevalent than alcohol consumption, and they had experienced physical, psychological, or sexual abuse at some point in their lives. It was observed that these children came from unstable family structures, with families unable to meet their material and emotional needs adequately. Although the families did not directly encourage criminal behavior, they failed to provide sufficient material, emotional, and moral support. Additionally, the children were found to be socially excluded. Consequently, the findings indicate that involvement in crime cannot be explained solely by individual tendencies; family structure, lack of emotional support, low-income levels, and unhealthy family conditions also play a significant role.