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The Prison Journal
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The Criminal Offending–Self-Esteem Nexus

Which Version of the Self-Esteem Theory Is Supported?

Carrie B. Oser

University of Kentucky, Lexington

Traditionalists regard crime to be associated with low self-esteem. A second body of literature suggests a rival hypothesis supporting a relationship between crime and high self-esteem. A multivariate model explored this nexus by examining the impact of demographic characteristics, criminal history, personality traits, and participation in prison programming on self-esteem levels of 134 inmates in two medium-security prisons. Results support the relationship between crime and low self-esteem, with state-raised convicts reporting lower self-esteem levels. In addition, inmates who are emotionally stable, who are less open to novel experiences, and who have participated in counseling or education during incarceration manifest higher self-esteem.

Key Words: criminal offending-self-esteem nexus • gender • personality traits • prison programming

The Prison Journal, Vol. 86, No. 3, 344-363 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0032885506291024
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