Determining ego states of the convicts according to the theory of transactional analysis: the case of Kirikkale Sulakyurt Closed Penitentiary institution

This study, based on the Theory of Transactional Analysis, was conducted in accordance with the descriptive research model in order to determine the ego states of the convicts/detainees in the Kırıkkale Sulakyurt Closed Penitentiary Institution. The Theory of Transactional Analysis argues that the experience of individuals in their childhood and their relationships with their parents is shaping the lives of individuals. This development occurs with the dominant ego states of the people. Therefore, our study aimed that contributing to appropriate intervention options in for convicts/detainees that process of in prisons or turn into crime by determining the dominant ego states of convicts/detainees. 133 male convicts/detainees from Kırıkkale Sulakyurt Closed Penitentiary Institution were participated in the study. Participants filled the "Convicted Personal Information Interview Form" and "Ego States Scale". The gender variable was kept constant in the research group. Socio-demographic characteristics, crime histories, types of crime and dominant ego states of convicts/detainees were investigated. The dominant ego states of convicts/detainees participating in the research appear to be classified as The Nurturing Parent Ego State (57.9%; n = 77), The Adult Ego State (30.8%; n = 41), Natural Child Ego State (5.3%; n = 7), The Adaptive Child Ego State (3,8%; n = 5) and The Critical Parent Ego State (2,3%; n=3).However, no statistically significant result was found due to the characteristics of the sample group.