Associations between past trauma, current social support, and loneliness in incarcerated populations

Abstract

BackgroundPrisoners are a vulnerable population with higher rates of trauma than community populations. Social support is important for both in–prison adjustment and post-release community re-entry. Loneliness, a related construct to social support, has been found to be associated with elevated rates of suicidal ideation and behavior, depression, and hopelessness in incarcerated populations.MethodsThis study explored the relationship of past physical, sexual, and crime-related trauma to current perceived social support and loneliness in a mixed-gender sample of 235 depressed prisoners enrolled in depression treatment studies.ResultsHistory of any trauma, regardless of type, as well as physical, sexual, and crime-related traumas were associated with lower current perceived social support scores (controlling for gender). Past sexual trauma and crime-related trauma were associated with higher levels of loneliness (controlling for gender), though history of any trauma and physical trauma was not.ConclusionFindings suggest that both overall trauma and specific types of trauma are linked to perceived social support and loneliness among incarcerated persons with major depressive disorder. This is the first study, to the authors’ knowledge, that specifically observed a relationship between past trauma and current social support and loneliness in prison populations. Many intervention programs for prisoners encourage them to develop non-criminogenic and substance-free social networks. These programs should be aware that individuals who have experienced interpersonal trauma may have additional interpersonal challenges, and may need strategies to address interpersonal deficits related to trauma exposure.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2194-7899-2-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Traumatization, Loneliness, and Suicidal Ideation among Former Prisoners of War: A Longitudinally Assessed Sequential Mediation Model

“…This is because loneliness may entail maladaptive cognitions concerning other people and their intentions. Studies across phylogeny, underscore that loneliness is associated with increased awareness of social cues of potential rejection ( 32 , 87 , 88 ) and may be associated in reduced perceptions of social support after trauma ( 56 ). Applied to this study, it may be suggested that ex-POWs suffer from more PTSS than non-combatants, which is a burden by its own merit.…”

“…Thus, not only is the POWs’ trauma typically considered to be more severe than that of non-captive combat veterans but due to the interpersonal aspects of captivity ex-POWs are also susceptible to additional interpersonal impediments, particularly insecure attachment orientations and loneliness ( 53 – 55 ). Similarly, recent research among incarcerated populations has indicated that past traumas may be implicated in more loneliness and less perceived social support ( 56 ).…”

Validation of depressive symptoms, social support, and minority stress scales among gay, bisexual, and other men who have with men (GBMSM) in Nigeria, Africa: a mixed methods approach

“…The purpose of convergent validity is to assess whether the scales are significantly related as predicted [32]. The UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to assess convergent validity as past research has demonstrated significant positive associations between depressive symptoms, minority stress and loneliness [33,34]; and a significant negative association between social support and loneliness [35]. Loneliness was assessed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale [36], an 8-item validated scale that measures various aspects of loneliness on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 "Never" to 4 "Often".…”

Validation of depressive symptoms, social support, and minority stress scales among Gay, Bisexual, and other men who have with men (GBMSM) in Nigeria, Africa: A Mixed Methods Approach

“…The purpose of convergent validity is to assess whether the scales are signi cantly related as predicted [32]. The UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to assess convergent validity as past research has demonstrated signi cant positive associations between depressive symptoms, minority stress and loneliness [33,34]; and a signi cant negative association between social support and loneliness [35]. Loneliness was assessed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale [36], an 8-item validated scale that measures various aspects of loneliness on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 "Never" to 4 "Often".…”