title: [Neuroticism, existential purpose and self-reinforcement of the ego. Comparative study of delinquents and non-delinquents].
abstract: This research attempts to examine a possible connection between neuroticism (level of anxiety) and the meaning of life. A research population composed of 446 people of whom 140 were imprisoned criminals and 306 were non-criminals, was examined. A significant negative correlation was found between the meaning of life and neuroticism, which means that the higher the neuroticism is the lower the meaning of life is. This negative connection was stronger for the criminal group which on the average had a lower score for the meaning of life. According to these results, the processes allowing a positive meaning of life can diminish the effects of psychogenic anxiety. No connection was found between extraversion and the meaning of life. Likewise, socionomic factors did not influence the negative correlation between neuroticism and the meaning of life. In specific cases we found that criminal solutions could be a substitute for the meaning of life.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003417:Criminal Psychology; D004532:Ego; D005086:Existentialism; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
vernacular_title: Névrosisme, signification existentielle et auto-renforcement du moi. Enquête comparative entre délinquants et non-délinquants.