Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Recent research has challenged the assertion that low self-esteem leads to violence. Narcissists, who typically have elevated self-esteem, may have strong emotional responses to ego threats resulting in increased aggression. This relationship may be important to understand in relation to criminal behavior. Recidivism rates appear to be affected by an interaction of level of self-esteem and identification with criminal others. This study will examine the relationship between self-esteem, narcissism, identification with criminal others, and recidivism. This study included 56 male offenders recruited from a parole office and assessed with the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, Fleming and Courtney's 1984 Self-Rating Scale, and The Criminal Sentiments Scale-Modified. It was predicted that those who scored higher on narcissism would have higher rates of recidivism. Furthermore, it was predicted that identification with criminal others would interact with narcissism so that those who scored higher on both measures would have higher rates of recidivism than those who rated high only on narcissism. The results of this study failed to show the predicted relationship between narcissism, identification with criminal others, self-esteem, and recidivism. However, narcissism approached significance as a predictor of recidivism. Clarification of this relationship could contribute to an enhanced understanding of psychological factors that place offenders at risk for recidivism. In addition, these results may have implications for the therapeutic strategies employed with offenders pre- and post-release.

Download

Share

COinS