Psychological Features of Different Personality Types of Convicts Infected with Tuberculosis, depending on the Severity of Suicidal Risk

Abstract

The article discusses the psychological features of suicidal risk in various personality types of convicts infected with tuberculosis and serving their sentences in medical correctional institutions of the penal system. The empirical study revealed that such convicts have low levels of suicidal risk. Using cluster analysis, three personality types of convicts infected with tuberculosis were identified, depending on the severity of their suicidal risk: demon-strative-affective, antisuicidal-maximalistic, untenable-pessimistic. The demonstrative-affective type is characterized by denial of the disease, an indifferent attitude to it, a gener-ally blaming attitude towards medical personnel and the treatment he/she gets. The antisui-cidal-maximalist type is characterized by a desire for life, an orientation towards a complete cure from the disease in a shorter time. The untenable-pessimistic type, although valuing his life, does not show high interest in speedy recovery or following the recom-mendations of the attending physicians. Knowledge of the psychological characteristics of suicidal risk in different personality types of infected convicts will help provide them with psychological support in institutions of the penal system.