Gender differences in experiences of social support among men and women releasing from prison

Abstract

Objectives: Positive social support is critically important to postprison well-being outcomes. However, researchers and program developers are still trying to understand how to best promote stable and sustainable social support for formerly incarcerated individuals during reentry to the community. We sought to add to the body of knowledge on social support and prisoner reentry by comparing men and women releasing from prison on the quality (e.g., positive or negative) and amount of informal social support. Methods: A random sample of 395 male (n = 165) and female (n = 230) releasing prisoners participated in the study. After unadjusted bivariate comparisons, multivariate regression was conducted to identify gender differences in preincarceration social support quality of influence and anticipated number of postrelease support persons while controlling for important covariates such as substance abuse and mental illnesses. Results: Males reported higher rates of negative social support overall, and females reported higher rates of both mixed and positive social support compared to their male counterparts. Older participants reported higher levels of positive support compared to younger participants. Men of color reported significantly higher levels of positive support than their White male counterparts. Overall, women had higher prevalence of behavioral health factors that complicate quality of support. However, there were no differences in gender found for the amount of perceived social support available postrelease in the unadjusted models. Implications: Study findings suggest the need for gender-specific and culturally tailored targets for prisoner reentry programs addressing social support. Possible adaptations for interventions are explored.

Behavioral health indicators and time‐to‐rearrest in an adult pre‐arrest diversion program

“…For instance, female participants have been found to be less likely than their male counterparts to be rearrested following involvement in drug court programs (Spohn, Piper, Martin, & Frenzel, ), after post‐prison release drug treatment (Yang et al, ), and more likely to avoid arrest while on parole (Blackburn, Pfeffer, & Harris, ). Research on these gender differences has suggested many possible explanations for higher success rates among women under criminal justice supervision, including the presence of social support provided by family members and case managers (e.g., Holmstrom, Adams, Morash, Smith, & Cobbina, ; Pettus‐Davis, Veeh, Davis, & Tripodi, ). Literature on the gender paradox also suggests that women tend to demonstrate positive treatment outcomes despite the presence of a significant amount of risk factors (e.g.…”

“…among women under criminal justice supervision, including the presence of social support provided by family members and case managers (e.g.,Holmstrom, Adams, Morash, Smith, & Cobbina, 2017;Pettus-Davis, Veeh, Davis, & Tripodi, 2018). Literature on the gender paradox also suggests that women tend to demonstrate positive treatment outcomes despite the presence of a significant amount of risk factors (e.g Florentine, Anglin, Gil-Rivas, & Taylor, 1997),.…”

Bienestar subjetivo: el papel de la rumia, optimismo, resiliencia y capacidad de recibir apoyo

“…Aunado a ello, se ha observado que son las mujeres quienes suelen establecer relaciones personales más cercanas (Juárez Ramírez, Valdez Santiago, & Hernández Rosete, 2005) en donde tienden a compartir más de su vida y emociones, evidenciando con eso su disposición a recibir ayuda, consejo, etc. (Matud, Ibañez, Bethencourt, Marrero, & Carballeira, 2003;Pettus-Davis, Veeh, Davis, & Tripodi, 2018).…”

Reducing overdose after release from incarceration (ROAR): study protocol for an intervention to reduce risk of fatal and non-fatal opioid overdose among women after release from prison

“…In addition, forensic peers providing services report positive self-reflection as part of being able to "give back" (Baron, 2011) and increased self-esteem, prosocial behavior, and social connectedness (Heidemann, Cederbaum, Martinez, & LeBel, 2016). Forensic peer interventions may be especially important for justice-involved women compared to men, as women demonstrate an increased need for social support post-incarceration (Pettus-Davis, Veeh, Davis, & Tripodi, 2018;Valera, Chang, Hernández, & Cooper, 2015).…”