Personality Patterns in Familiar and Delinquency Violence in Mexican Men

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine personality patterns of aggressive and violent behaviors in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) scales data obtained from homicide and domestic violence offenders. A group of homicide and domestic violence offenders were administered the test to identify differences and causes. Method 140 subjects participated in this study. We divided them into two groups of 70 incarcerated offenders each based on the cause of their arrest: homicide and domestic violence. Inmates were sampled by non-probability quota sampling, and voluntarily completed the Inventory after giving informed consent. Results: By applying the parametric Student's t-test to the scales and using Cohen's d, the effect size of identified differences was obtained. High scores in some scales suggesting differences in expression of aggression between groups were observed. Homicide offenders expressed more openly emotions of aggression, hostility, and anger, while domestic violence perpetrators tend to deny any such factors in their behavior. Both groups showed emotional deviation associated with their offenses. Conclusions: The MMPI-2 has been proved to detect behavior patterns of offenders and their reluctance to readapt to civil society. An interesting matter can be highlighted: Given the conditions in Mexican correctional facilities, currently offenders overall are not motivated enough to reintegrate into social life, having expressed reactions of aggression-related behaviors.