Submissive Behaviour, Depression, and Suicide Probability in Male Arrestees and Convicts

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of suicide probability with submissive behaviors and the levels of depression in male arrestees and convicts staying in penal institutions.

The study consisted of 326 male participants from five different prisons. A personal information form was used to collect the socio-demographic data, The Suicide Probability Scale (SPS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Submissive Behaviour Scala (SBS) were used to determine the related psychological characteristics.

The results showed that depression was determined in 69% of the inmates (convicts and arrestees), while the suicide probability rate was found to be in the proportion of 88% which is higher than in the general population. Regarding the examination in terms of crime types, it was found that the suicide ideation rate of sex offenders or sex offender arrestees (x=18.33; ss=7.28) and the hostility rate of bulglary offenders (x=16.63; ss=4.75) were much higher than that of the other types of offenders. According to the findings of the Hierarchical Regression Analysis conducted in order to define the variables predicting the subscale rates of SPS, while previous suicide attempt(s) and depression predict hopelessness rate; self-attempted suicide, witnessing suicide attempts, self-harm and depression predict suicide ideation rate. Furthermore, education status and depression symptoms predict negative self-evaluation rate, and lastly education level, witnessing suicide attempts, self-harm and depression symptoms predict hostility subscale rate.

Factors such as social isolation, mislearning, etc. were considered to cause increased feelings of hopelessness, suicide ideation, negative sense of self and feelings of hostility in convicts and arrestees staying indoors.