Relationship of Pessimistic Attitude with Childhood Abuse among the Female Prisoners of Punjab Prisons

Abstract

The study explores the relationship between the experience of abuse and pessimistic attitude among the female prisoners. This area of research has never been explored in Pakistan. Participants included 400 females both the convicts and under trials from the four Central Prisons of Punjab Prisons. Data was collected with the help of structured questionnaire. House Tree Person Test was also administered for rapport building. It was hypothesized that female prisoners having the experience of abuse were also having pessimistic attitude towards the life. Findings showed significant co-relation between experience of abuse and pessimistic attitude. Pearson correlation co-efficient was calculated between experience of abuse and pessimisms. In order to further understand the level of abuse; it was divided into emotional, physical and sexual abuse. This study highlighted the need to attend emotional problems of female criminals.

Keywords

• Pessimistic attitude
• Childhood abuse
• Female prisoners