A comparison of ego-strength and self-regard between male and female "driving-under-the-influence" offenders.

Abstract

The research on alcohol abusers has been extensive and has indicated that alcohol abusers do not possess Commons personality characteristics. Factors such as locus of control, self-descriptions and self-esteem have been studied. The present study was undertaken in an effort to help clarify some of the factors that contribute to the difference in personality characteristics. The factors examined in the present study were gender, ego-strength and self-regard. The sample population consisted of 60 count referred driving-under-the-influence offenders from several counties served by a rural mental health center. They were 30 males and 30 females who had valid Minnesota Hultiphasic Personality Inventory and Personal Orientation Inventory tests. The Barron Ego-Strength scale anti the Self-Regard scale were selected respectively from these instruments. Analysis of the data showed no significant (p. <'05) difference in the way maIe and female driving-under-the-influence offenders rated their e~o-strength and self-regard. There was a statistically significant (p. <.05) difference between the subjects mean T scores and the norms on both scales. All data were compared using t tests. The primary conclusion, drawn from the above data, was that gender was not a significant factor contributing to the difference in personality factors among alcohol abusers. The rather surprising result was that the subjects rated themselves higher on ego-strength and self-regard than the average population as shown by comparison to the norms.