Investi̇gati̇on ego states and chi̇ldhood deci̇si̇ons of pri̇soners wi̇th A hi̇story of substance abuse

In this study, is based on Transactional Analysis theory, adult male prisinors who have the history of substances abuse and no have the history of substance abuse were compared in terms of "ego states" and "childhood decisions". Transactional Analysis theory defends that of childhood, especially the relationship with the mother and father, is very effective in shaping the lives and the view that drawn the outlines of life being lived as a child. This study aims important scientific contribution with being a guidance in precluding substance abuse to emphasizing the importance of communication within the family. The sample of the study consisted of 100 prisinors with a history of substance abuse and 100 no history of substance abuse prisinors, adding up to a total of 200 aged 18 and older respondents. Demographics, early childhood decissions and ego-states of the subjects were evaluated with the Demographic survey, the Childhood Decisions Scale (CDS) and the Ego-States Scale (ESS). Based on Transactional Analysis developed by Berne (1978) both scales were developed by Varan and Öztan (2007) and were shown to be reliable and valid tools. Study group is formed adult male prisinors and detainees staying in in İzmir No:2 T Type Closed Prison Agency and gender variable is kept constant. The average age of the prisinors with a history of substance abuse 31, the average age of the no history of substance abuse prisinors was found to be 37 and ranged from 18 to 73 age range. The obtained data shows that bachelors use substance more than the married. It is found that the level of education is not a very effective factor about using substance. It's seen that people whose monthly income is low are more prone to substance use. The findings of this study revealed that prisoners who use substances differ from non-substance use prisoners in terms of childhood decisions and ego states. According to the findings of the study, substance use prisoners scored significantly higher on 10 of the 18 subscales that assess childhood decisions. Prisoners who use substance differed from non-substance use prisoners on especially "Don't Exist", "Don't Grow up- Free", "Don't make it", "Don't be close", "Don't be healthy" and"Don't Do Anything" subscales of the CDS. Findings related to the ego-states showed that substance use prisoners dependents behave more in the "Controlling Parents", "Immature Child" and "Spontaneous Child" ego-states and respond much less from the "Adult", "Nurturing Parents" and "Adapted Child" ego-states as compared to the non-substance use prisoners. In this study substance use prisoners in evaluating themselves more "aggressive", more "rebellious" and more "sad," non-substance use prisoners evaluate themselves as more "happy", more "well-behaved (quiet)" and more "joyful". The findings suggest that people who use substances were exposed to more negative parental attitudes of during childhood and negative emotions they lived. Key Words :Substance abuse; prisoner; ego states; childhood decisions