La Personalidad en Población Carcelaria: un Estudio Comparativo en Ecuador

Abstract

This paper aims to describe the personality in prison population and compare them with a sample from the general population in Ecuador. With this aim, the following instruments were administered in an individual session: the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III), the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). The results showed that there are significant differences between jail inmates and the general population in all measures. Antisocial and paranoid personality characteristics were the most prevalent in jail inmates; in addition, they presented higher levels of aggression and impulsivity. Regarding the presence of psychopathology, the higher prevalence of anxiety, delusions, and dependence on substances and alcohol should be underlined.