Predictors of antisocial behaviour in offenders: An application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Tavish, Angèle Mac
Copyright Year	2015
Abstract	PREDICTORS OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN OFFENDERS: AN APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR Angèle MacTavish Advisor: University of Guelph, 2015 Dr. Karl Hennig This study contributes to the understanding of antisocial behaviour following release from custody (i.e., recidivism) by clarifying the role specific determinants play in the prediction of antisocial behaviour. The current study examined both the empirically based forensic model and the conceptually based Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model in the prediction of antisocial behaviour. This study also evaluated the effectiveness of the Criminal Attitudes Program (CAP program), a treatment program designed to decrease antisocial attitudes and subsequent antisocial behaviour in correctional offenders. Correctional offenders (N = 930) completed self-report measures of antisocial and prosocial tendencies upon commencement and upon completion of the CAP program. Antisocial behaviour was measured using rearrest data. A psychometrically sound set of measures was developed to evaluate the TPB model and CAP program, based on original questionnaires. CAP program completion was associated with significant and positive changes from preto post-treatment. However, there was no correlation between CAP program completion and antisocial behaviour upon release. Path modeling indicated the TPB model predicted CAP program completion and antisocial behaviour severity upon release. Findings highlight the importance of using the theoretically driven TPB model to examine direct and indirect predictors of antisocial behaviour, in addition to the forensicempirical model. Important theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Acknowledgements I am especially thankful to Dr. Karl Hennig for his guidance and advice during this project, and for his support and encouragement that helped keep me motivated over the course of graduate school. Special thank you to Dr. David Day and Dr. Benjamin Giguère for their thoughtful feedback and direction with this project. I also thank the Chair and members of the defense committee. I am also very grateful to Dr. David Simourd, who has contributed extensively to the areas of offender assessment and treatment. This project would not have been possible without Dr. Simourd’s encouragement to evaluate the Criminal Attitudes Program. Further thanks to the Alaska Department of Corrections for providing the data for this project and to the many Research Assistants at the University of Guelph who helped me to get it organized. Most importantly, I would like to thank my family and friends who helped me to keep my priorities in check during this project.
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Alternate Webpage(s)	https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10214/9596/MacTavish_Angele_201604_PhD.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article