Gender differences in jail inmates' symptoms of mental illness, treatment history and treatment seeking

Abstract

Female jail inmates are especially in need of mental health services. Effective interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder are needed in jail settings for both male and female inmates during incarceration and upon release.

Childhood Abuse and Mental Health Problems: Does Gender Matter?

“…Previous studies also indicated that female inmates were more likely than male inmates to have been physically or sexually abused [49,50]. In light of such findings, feminist scholars have suggested that childhood abuse, and especially sexual abuse, play a critical role and are key contributors to criminal behavior [23], substance abuse [51], and mental health problems [9] among women.…”

Gender Differences in Jail Populations: Factors to Consider in Reentry Strategies

“…Female inmates in this study disproportionately reported anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, trauma-related symptoms, and symptoms of borderline personality disorder. In addition to experiencing mental health problems at a higher rate, women were also more likely than men to perceive the need for treatment, view treatment positively, and seek treatment while in jail (Drapalski et al, 2009). Interestingly, these authors reported no gender differences with regards to treatment history prior to incarceration.…”

“…Mental illness is a widespread problem among jail inmates, affecting as many as 70% of the jail population (Binswanger et al, 2010;Drapalski, Youman, Stuewig, & Tangey, 2009;James & Glaze, 2006). Drapalski and colleagues (2009) reported that jailed women were two to three times more likely to report a psychiatric disorder; overall, 43.6% of female inmates were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder compared to 21.6% of male inmates.…”

Borderline personality disorder: Prevalence and psychiatric comorbidity among male offenders on probation in Sweden

“…Self-report measurements suggest prevalences ranging from 10% to 48% [16][17][18][19] whereas studies using structured interviewing typically report lower and less variable rates of BPD. Hence, in a summary report from the UK Government statistical service [20], BPD prevalence was estimated to 14%.…”