Personality traits, self-efficacy and self-control on criminogenic behavior

What is it about?

The study aimed to evaluate the possible mediating effect of two independent variables, self-efficacy and self-control, and to analyse the role of personality traits in the manifestation of criminogenic behavior. A total of 850 detainees from Romania, aged between 21 and 71 years (mean age = 38.7; standard deviation = 10.58), completed the CP5F Personality Questionnaire, the Criminogenic Cognitions Scale (SCC), the Machiavellianism Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Scale. The mediation model showed the following. Self-efficacy and self-control parallelly mediate the relationship between personality (p < 0.05) and the negative attitude toward the individual/authority (p < 0.01). As the score for self-efficacy increases, the score for Machiavellianism and the score for the negative attitude toward the individual also increase. As the score of self-control increases, the score for Machiavellianism decreases. The personality score explains approximately 27% of the variance in the self-efficacy score and 7.2% of the variance in the self-control score (p < 0.001). Self-control and self-efficacy are psychological dimensions that must be developed from adolescence, but in the direction of desirable, prosocial behaviours to prevent the formation of a criminal identity. Strengthening personality factors (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, and Autonomy) can lead to a decrease in negative attitudes toward authority and the individual, which can result in a decrease in recidivism.

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Why is it important?

The study contributes to the understanding of the complexity of the relationship between personality traits (such as Machiavellianism) and negative behaviors. The results suggest that self-efficacy and self-control are important mediating variables, indicating that the way individuals perceive themselves and their ability to control their impulses plays a significant role in determining attitudes toward authority and criminal behavior. The study highlights that Machiavellianism is not mediated by self-efficacy or self-control, which could open new avenues for research in understanding this construct. This suggests that individuals with Machiavellian traits may act in ways that are not influenced by their perception of personal abilities or behavioral control, which could require different interventions compared to those aimed at individuals with low self-efficacy.