The relationship between openness and social adaptation among offenders in community: the mediating role of interpersonal sensitivity and the moderating role of peer trust

Objective To explore the mediating effect of interpersonal sensitivity between social adaptation and openness, as well as the moderating role of peer attachment among offenders in community. Methods Totally 155 offenders from 5 communities in Yinchuan city were investigated by symptom self-rating scale, NEO five-factor inventory(NEO-FFI), social adaptability scale and the inventory of parent and peer attachment-revised. Using the macro program PROCESS of SSPS to test the mediating effect of interpersonal sensitivity and the moderating role of peer trust. Results The scores of interpersonal sensitive subscale of the symptom checklist 90, the openness subscale of NEO five-factor inventory, the inventory of parent and peer attachment-revised were (1.52±0.48), (3.05±0.30), (0.72±0.60) and (83.40±12.17), respectively. Openness, peer attachment were positively correlated with social adaptation (r=0.25, 0.44, P<0.01), and negatively correlated with interpersonal sensitivity (r=-0.18, -0.37, P<0.05). Interpersonal sensitivity was negatively correlated with social adaptation (P<0.01). Peer trust had a significant moderating effect on openness and interpersonal sensitivity (β=0.02, SE=0.01, P<0.05). Interpersonal sensitivity played a mediating role in the relationship between openness and social adaptation (β=-0.38, SE=0.10, P<0.01). In case of high peer trust(β=-0.59, SE=0.19, P<0.001) and mid-level of peer trust(β=-0.28, SE=0.11, P<0.05), there were both significant effect between openness and social adaptation. Conclusion Openness influences the social adaptation though interpersonal sensitivity, while peer trust moderates the effect of openness on social adaptation. Key words: Openness; Interpersonal sensitivity; Community correction staff; Peer trust; Mediating effect; Moderating role