Life Events and Psychological Well-Being in Women Sentenced to Prison

Abstract

There have been no systematic analyses of the factors that influence the development of psychological well-being in women sentenced to prison. This study identified relationships among life events, coping resources, and psychological well-being (indicated by the absence of anxiety and depression). A descriptive correlational design was used in a convenience sample of 62 incarcerated female offenders. The respondents were in their early 30s, single, unemployed, and receiving financial support from a variety of sources. They reported an average of 10 life events in the 12 months preceding incarceration and accumulated an average of 354 life change units. A positive correlation between the number of life events and depression was identified (r = .24, p < .05). The women in this study had high levels of depression as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (L. Radloff, 1977; M = 31) and anxiety as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (C. D. Spielberger, 1983; M = 46). Nursing interventions to reduce psychological distress at the time of admission to a correctional facility may reduce feelings of loss, inadequacy, and powerlessness that the women might otherwise have to endure.

Complex Physical and Mental Health Needs of Rural Incarcerated Women

“…Furthermore, almost a quarter of the participants reported suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder as a past victim of rape or other violent assault. Using a descriptive, correlational design in a sample of 62 incarcerated female offenders, Keaveny and Zauszniewski (1999) systematically analyzed the factors that occurred in the 12 months preceding incarceration as possible precursors to the development of mental health problems. They found an average of 10 life events (e.g., jail term, change in living conditions , illness) during this period and a positive correlation between the number of life events and depression (r D .24, p < .05).…”

“…In fact, the number of incarcerated women has nearly doubled since 1990 (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000). Although it is readily apparent that this proportion continues to increase at an alarming rate, very little attention has been given to imprisoned women (Fogel & Belyea, 1999;Keaveny & Zauszniewski, 1999;Wilson & Leasure, 1991). Female offenders have historically gone unnoticed as a research concern because they constitute a comparatively minuscule percentage of the total prison population in a predominantly male system (Wilson & Leasure, 1991) and they are generally sentenced for nonviolent crimes punishable by shorter periods of imprisonment (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1999).…”

Traumatic life events and suicide risk among jail inmates: The influence of types of events, time period and significant others

“…Furthermore, the vast majority of inmates have experienced at least one life event that meets the DSM-III-R criteria for an "extreme event" (Jordan, Schlenger, Fairbank, & Caddell, 1996) and in many cases imprisonment seems to be the result of an escalation of life changes in the previous year (Keaveny & Zauszniewski, 1999;Masuda et al, 1978). Finally, inmates are found to report a higher prevalence of life-time traumatic events than cohorts in the community (Jordan et al, 1996).…”

Effectiveness of cognitive remediation for female inmates: a pilot study

“…Offenders in prisons, especially female inmates, also display elevated emotional distress, as revealed by increased prevalence rates of anxiety and depression disorders (Allnutt, Wedgwood, Wilhelm, & Butler, 2008;Keaveny & Zauszniewski, 1999;Kjelsberg et al, 2006;Maden, Swinton, & Gunn, 1994). Moreover, prisoners present high amounts of psychological disturbance and adjustment problems that manifests in disturbed behavior, including violence, aggression, disobedience, tension, avoidance of contact with others, fear, lack of energy, learning difficulties, among many others The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology 225 (Coid, 1984;Cooke, 1998).…”