Self-Esteem in Adult Prison Population: The Development and Validation of the Self-Esteem Measure for Prisoners (SEM-P)

ABSTRACT

The main aim of the current study was to develop and validate the Self-Esteem Measure for Prisoners (SEM-P), composed of personal and prison self-esteem, among a systematically selected sample of prisoners (N = 1,794). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the SEM-P was best captured with the bifactor conceptualization reflecting two grouping factors (personal and prison self-esteem) and one general factor. Although factor loadings were stronger for the general factor, the two grouping factors evidenced good differential predictive validity. The SEM-P is a reliable and valid measure of self-esteem among inmates because it considers the importance of prison culture for self-evaluations.

Funding

This project was partially funded by the Polish Prison Service.

Notes

¹ Twenty-five percent of studies reviewed by Blascovich and Tomaka (1991) employed the RSES.

² The value of a multidimensional perspective has already been recognized in different areas of psychological research, including intelligence (multiple intelligences vs. a general IQ measure) (Marsh, Craven, and Martin 2006).

³ Data published by the British government demonstrated that 46% of individuals entering the prison system have literacy skills comparable with those expected of an 11-year-old child (Harding et al. 2012).

Additional information

Funding

This project was partially funded by the Polish Prison Service.

Notes on contributors

Agata Debowska

AGATA DEBOWSKA, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Liverpool John Moores University. Her current research interests and publications include violence against women and children, child sexual abuse, psychopathy, and criminal social identity.

Daniel Boduszek

DANIEL BODUSZEK, PhD, is a Professor of Criminal Psychology at the University of Huddersfield, Professor of Psycho-Criminology at the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Director of Quantitative Research Methods Training Unit. His current research interests and publications include the aspects of criminal cognitions, homicidal behavior, psychopathy, prisonization, and recidivism.

Nicole Sherretts

NICOLE SHERRETTS, MSc, is a Postgraduate Researcher at the University of Huddersfield. Her current research interests and publications include psychopathy and criminal cognitions.