Chronic and offence-related factors and coping styles in offenders

Abstract

The current study examined how chronic or stable factors related to distress and self-blame are associated with offence-denial in offenders. The association of these factors with coping styles, a tendency to respond in a similar manner across various situations, was also explored. Further validation of the distress and responsibility scale (DRS), which has previously been piloted on a sample of male offenders, was sought with female offenders. The sample comprised 545 offenders (349 men; 196 female) from five prisons. Participants completed the DRS and the coping styles questionnaire-3 (Roger, Jarvis, & Najarian, 1993). It was predicted that the factor-structure emerging with male offenders would be confirmed with a sample of both male and female offenders. It was hypothesized that coping styles would be associated with chronic distress and self-blame, and with offence-related distress, self-blame, and denial. The factor-structure of the DRS was confirmed after some adjustments. It was concluded that coping styles help the understanding of the association between chronic distress and self-blame, and offence-related distress, self-blame, and denial. However, this model had a compromised fit, so it is suggested that the association of the DRS factors with other personality factors is explored in future studies.