Austrian Inmates’ Personality Traits, Work-Related Attitudes and Behaviours, as Well as Their Association with Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine possible age-related differences within an Austrian inmate sample, as well as dissimilarities with community-dwelling reference samples, concerning personality, work-related attitudes, and their influence on the inmates’ psychological well-being. In total, 177 male inmates from 11 Austrian correctional facilities were examined in a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Differences in mean values were subsequently investigated. Regarding personality, inmates report higher conscientiousness and agreeableness but lower openness for experiences than non-prisoners. Additionally, a personality model characterised by high neuroticism, low conscientiousness, agreeableness and extraversion is associated with inmates’ decreased mental health, whereas vocational resistance to stress along with positive emotionality seem to be protective factors. Overall, the results support the assumption of a dynamic inmate personality adapting to the prison environment, with certain manifestations of traits being strongly associated with mental health.

Keywords

• age-related differences
• attitudes towards work
• inmates
• personality
• prison work
• psychological distress