TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparative Analysis of Attitudes and Emotions Among Inmates
T2 - Does Mental Illness Matter?
AU - Wolff, Nancy
AU - Morgan, Robert D.
AU - Shi, Jing
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant P30 MH079920).
PY - 2013/10
Y1 - 2013/10
N2 - This study examines the relationship between behavioral health problems and criminogenic thinking, aggression, self-control, and hopelessness, controlling for other demographic and criminal behavior characteristics among incarcerated persons. Male (n = 3,986) and female (n = 218) inmates expected to be released within 24 months from prisons affiliated with a northeastern state department of corrections completed the Criminal Sentiments Scale-Modified, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire Short-Form, Brief Self-Control Scale, and Beck Hopelessness Scale. Results indicated that behavioral health variables were significantly and substantially correlated with antisocial thinking, aggression, self-control, and hopelessness. For male inmates, serious mental illness and substance abuse problems significantly increased antisocial attitudes, aggression, and hopelessness scores and decreased self-control scores. In preparing incarcerated persons with and without mental illnesses for reentry to the community, it is critical to develop and implement evidence-based interventions that respond to attitudinal and emotional risk factors that predict relapse and recidivism.
AB - This study examines the relationship between behavioral health problems and criminogenic thinking, aggression, self-control, and hopelessness, controlling for other demographic and criminal behavior characteristics among incarcerated persons. Male (n = 3,986) and female (n = 218) inmates expected to be released within 24 months from prisons affiliated with a northeastern state department of corrections completed the Criminal Sentiments Scale-Modified, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire Short-Form, Brief Self-Control Scale, and Beck Hopelessness Scale. Results indicated that behavioral health variables were significantly and substantially correlated with antisocial thinking, aggression, self-control, and hopelessness. For male inmates, serious mental illness and substance abuse problems significantly increased antisocial attitudes, aggression, and hopelessness scores and decreased self-control scores. In preparing incarcerated persons with and without mental illnesses for reentry to the community, it is critical to develop and implement evidence-based interventions that respond to attitudinal and emotional risk factors that predict relapse and recidivism.
KW - aggression
KW - criminogenic thinking
KW - hopelessness
KW - inmate
KW - mental illness
KW - reentry
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84883634388&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0093854813488760
DO - 10.1177/0093854813488760
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84883634388
SN - 0093-8548
VL - 40
SP - 1092
EP - 1108
JO - Criminal Justice and Behavior
JF - Criminal Justice and Behavior
IS - 10
ER -