An MMPI item content scale to measure religious identification within a state prison population

Abstract

Developed a Religious Identification Scale (RI) for the MMPI. The responses of adjusted and maladjusted prison inmates (N = 117) to the RI scale supported previous findings that maladjusted inmates are more likely to present histories of little or no religious identification and participation in religious activities of little or no religious identification and participation in religious activities prior to imprisonment, whereas adjusted inmates often will present histories of religious identification and participation prior to incarceration. It was suggested that the RI scale be employed as an additional evaluation tool in the attempt to identify potential problem inmates during their classification processing. It also was suggested that the RI scale be used to identify those inmates who may be amenable to pastoral counseling during the difficult phase that follows their initial confinement. Caution was expressed as to the RI scale's employment pending further validation---preferably with samples drawn from other prison populations.