The hierarchical structure of the values held by psychologists working for the Penitentiary Service of Angola

Abstract

Introduction: The Deontological Code sets standards of behaviour for psychologists towards their clients, colleagues, and the general public (Francis, 2004); it serves as a point of reference that protects interventions and enhances the well-being of both professionals and clients (Ricou, 2014). Objectives: To identify adherence to the hierarchical structure of the values held by psychologists who work for the Penitentiary Service of Angola (PSA). Materials and methods: The ESEHVP—Scale on the Hierarchical Structure of Values, in auto-response and hetero-response forms, built from the values and guidelines inscribed in the Deontological Code of Angolan Psychologists, was administered to 36 psychologists working for the PSA. Results: Professional secrecy is the norm of professional practice, with the highest level of adherence on the self-assessment given to prison psychologists (M=4,9). In the knowledge they have about
levels of their colleagues’ membership, the deontological norm that is inverted—‘Communicate the fees to the client
only at the end of the consultation’—receives greater appreciation (M=2,9) than the norm that is positively stated about ‘reporting a colleague who violated the psychologists’ deontological principles’ (M=2,8). The participating psychologists claimed to value norms that are positively presented more significantly when compared to the knowledge they have about the appreciation of their colleagues. Conclusions: The results identify the hierarchical structure of adherence to values—which are the psychologists’ own and are recognised by others—and demonstrate the relationships among those values, and the results also shed light on how psychologists are not meeting these values as well as possible compliance with the Deontological Codes.