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Negative Relating and Offense Type

NCJ Number
235231
Journal
Journal of Criminal Psychology Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2011 Pages: 24-35
Author(s)
Michelle Newberry; John Birtchnell
Date Published
June 2011
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study investigated whether particular scales of the Person's Relating to Others Questionnaire (PROQ3) would be associated with criminality in general.
Abstract
This study explores whether particular forms of negative (i.e. antisocial) relating, as measured by the eight scales of the shorter Person's Relating to Others Questionnaire (PROQ3), were associated with specific types of offending behavior. The participants were 923 male offenders at a therapeutic community prison who had completed the PROQ3 on admission. The PROQ3 scores of eight offense groups identified on the basis of an offender's index offense were compared using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, because most prisoners had committed a range of offenses, the PROQ3 scores of 'pure' offenders (who had committed only one type of offense) were also compared. Neutral distance (e.g. suspicion, self-reliance) and lower closeness (e.g. fear of rejection and disapproval) were the PROQ3 scales most significantly associated with criminality in general and dishonest offenders demonstrated the broadest range of negative relating. Implications of findings for therapy are discussed. (Published Abstract)