Early Parenting Styles as Predictors of Antisocial Personality Disorder among Incarcerated Inmates in Benue State
Elias Terumbur Audu, Aondoaver Ucho PhD, Elvis Oblu Ihaji PhD
Abstract
In comparison with the general population, rates of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is significantly higher among inmates globally. This has had a wide-range impact on global peace, interpersonal relationship and thus continue to pose more problems of inmates’ coordination and reintegration. Nigeria is among African countries with the highest population of inmates with ASPD. In spite of this however, little is known about factors that confer risk. This study examined the predictive role of parenting styles on ASPD among incarcerated inmates in Benue, North-Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 314 randomly sampled inmates in two correctional centres. Participants responded to measures of demographic characteristics, Baumrind’s Parenting Styles and Mini?International Neuropsychiatric Interview English version 5.0 (MINI plus 5) at the two centres. Self- Determination Theory guided the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-V23) was used for analysis. Multiple Regression analysis was used to examine the influence of parenting styles on antisocial personality disorder. Results indicated high rate of ASPD among inmates, which was predicted by permissive parenting style. However, authoritative, authoritarian and uninvolved parenting did not predict ASPD. This result implies that early parenting that encourage limitless freedom without corresponding child control or monitoring is a foundation for the development of ASPD in inmates. Accordingly, it was recommended, among other things that, parents and guidance minimize or even avoid the use permissive parenting to avert ASPD among inmates in Benue and beyond.
Keywords
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