Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

359

Date

2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Counseling Psychology

Committee Chair

Suzanne H Lease

Committee Member

Alix M McLearen

Committee Member

Douglas C Strohmer

Committee Member

Stephen J Leierer

Abstract

Over 209,000 individuals are incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with the majority of offenders incarcerated for drug-related offenses. Research demonstrates an increased level of aggressive behaviors and substance use for offenders when compared to community samples. However, the impact of aggressive personality traits on substance use in offenders has not previously been examined. The study used archival data gathered from 356 male and female offenders housed in institutions throughout the Federal Bureau of Prisons system. The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire-ShortForm and the Alcohol and Drug Problems scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory were used to assess the relationship between aggressive personality traits and alcohol and drug problems. Moderating effects of race and gender on these relationships were also examined. While relationships were found between aggressive personality traits and substance use, gender was not found to be a moderator. As hypothesized, race moderated the relationship between aggressive personality traits and substance use such that aggressive personality traits were predictive of substance use, but only for White offenders. Clinical implications and future research were discussed.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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