Projective Imagery, Relationship Profile and Narcissism among Incarcerated Individuals: A Comparative Psychosocial Exploration

Abstract

The present research endeavor aims to have a clear picture of the psychosocial profiles of incarcerated individuals by comparing with a comparative group of non-convicts. Assessment of the perception of personal, social and ideal selves was done by means of artistic expression (through drawings), as a therapeutic modality. Narcissistic Personality Inventory (Raskin and Terry, 1988) to assess narcissism, as a precursor to commit crime, and Relationship Profile Test (Bornstein et al., 2003), to assess relationship bonding pattern in general, were also administered to a group of 96 inmates, undergoing long-term correctional services (52 males and 44 females) and 76 non-convicts (39 males and 37 females), based on purposive sampling. Results reflected significant group differences. Incarcerated individuals have comparatively higher scores in some traits when their art was interpreted, namely, they feel less sociallyaccepted in personal self; are manipulative, harmful with high need for social-acceptance as regards social self, and have higher need to escape from the burdens of life in ideal self, compared to their matched cohorts without having any criminal records. They also have significantly higher scores in destructive over-dependence dimension of relationship profile and authority dimension of narcissism compared to their matched controls. Non-convicts have comparatively higher scores in confidence and independence as regards ideal self in comparison to incarcerated partners. They also have significantly higher scores in dysfunctional detachment dimension of relationship profile & superiority, exhibitionism and vanity dimensions of narcissism compared to their incarcerated members. This study is of much significance in understanding the personality profiles and emotional void of incarcerated individuals. Its findings are likely to help in designing more effective therapeutic programmes, as a part of their correctional services.