Relation of inmates' entitlement to identification with criminal groups, narcissism and readiness for self-improvement

BACKGROUND Inmates often show narcissistic and entitlement attitudes, as expressed in their numerous unjustified com-plaints and lawsuits concerning the conditions of imprisonment. The aim of the study was to examine the rela-tionship between entitlement, criminal social identity, narcissism and readiness for self-improvement in a group of inmates. The study also attempted to create a psychological profile of prisoners with different levels of entitlement. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE The study included 87 prisoners (M = 32.10, SD = 8.49) aged 20-57 years. The Measure of Criminal Social Identity, Readiness for Self-Improvement Questionnaire, Entitlement Questionnaire, and Narcissistic Admira-tion and Rivalry Questionnaire were used in the study. RESULTS The results of the analyses indicate that entitlement in the study group is high. Active entitlement is positively associated with readiness to improve oneself, readiness to take care of ones health and admiration. Passive entitlement is negatively associated with cognitive centrality, in-group affect, and narcissism, and negatively associated with readiness to improve oneself and readiness to take care of ones health. Revenge entitlement is positively associated with criminal social identity, narcissism and rivalry. Inmates with a high and low level of entitlement are differentiated by psychological and demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS When searching for factors determining the entitlement in a group of inmates, their personality and demo-graphic variables should be taken into account.