The Pfister Test in Psychological Assessment for Firearm Handling

Abstract

As there are few Pfister Test studies in the context of assessment for handling a firearm, the objective was to describe the personality characteristics of security guards and candidates for handling firearms (n= 112) when compared with people from the general population (n= 288). The data collection instruments were a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic information and the Pfister Test. For data analysis, nonparametric tests and multiple linear regression analysis were used. Candidates for handling weapons showed characteristics of more rigidity, anxiety and immaturity with a predisposition to be more oppositional and ambivalent in relation to their feelings. There is also a need for further studies with more comprehensive and diversified samples.