Negative Relating and Offense Type

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 offend‐ing behaviour. 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 com‐pared. 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.

Citation

Newberry, M. and Birtchnell, J. (2011), "Negative Relating and Offense Type", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 24-35. https://doi.org/10.1108/20093829201100003