Citation

Kalemi G, Michopoulos I, Efstathiou V, Tzeferakos G, Gkioka S, Gournellis R, Douzenis A. Women Health 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-13.

Affiliation

Forensic Unit 2nd Department of Psychiatry, Medical School , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital , Athens , Greece.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/03630242.2019.1593284

PMID

30947623

Abstract

Contradictory findings have been reported regarding the association between self-esteem and aggression. Most studies have dealt with non-criminal populations. This study aimed to explore the relationship between self-esteem and aggression and investigate possible differences in self-esteem and aggression between female inmates and women without criminal records (non-criminals) in the prefecture of Attica, Greece. One hundred fifty-seven female inmates in the Attica's Korydallos Female Prison and 150 non-criminals from Attica's general population completed the Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire and Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale between February 2012 and April 2014. Lower self-esteem was associated with higher aggression among women independent of criminality. Self-esteem was lower in inmates (Mean = 18.06, SD = 6.19) than in non-criminals (Mean = 21.65, SD = 4.90, p < .001). Female prisoners presented higher aggression than non-criminals (unadjusted Mean = 78.40, SD = 23.60 versus Mean = 68.82, SD = 14.95, p < .001). However, after adjusting for age, education and self-esteem, this difference was no longer statistically significant (p = .127). Further studies, especially in female offenders, should be conducted to broaden our understanding of female aggression with a view to developing and promoting focused therapeutic procedures.

Language: en

Keywords

Self-esteem; aggression; female inmates; women prisoners