ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the reader with an overview of research that attempts to capture the personality and psychological make-up of those individuals who commit DWI offenses and repeat offenses. Being knowledgeable about what types of psychological profiles respond to specific types of treatment may be helpful in matching certain clients to certain types of treatment. In summarizing the body of research literature on psychological characteristics of DWI offenders, it appears that the majority of studies have noted few differences between first-time DWI offenders and repeat offenders. With regard to psychiatric symptomatology, most studies find that DWI offenders are more "emotionally maladjusted" when compared to their nonoffender counterparts from the general driving population. The SCL-90-R is a self-report inventory of psychopathology or psychological distress. DWI offenders seem to have a propensity to blame others for their problems, as implied by their manifestation of an external locus of control.
