Perceptions of the environment, suicidal ideation and problem‐solving deficits in an offender population

Abstract

Purpose. This study was designed to explore relationships that exist among suicidal ideation, perceptions of the prison environment and problem‐solving deficits in an offender population. Method. Participants were 46 male offenders in two separate prisons in the Republic of Ireland. A semistructured interview ascertained demographic and personal history details. Participants were (i) non‐ideators with no previous parasuicide history (control group), (ii) non‐ideators with a past parasuicide history (past parasuicide group), and (iii) current ideators. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale, Means‐Ends Problem‐Solving Scale and Prison Preference Inventory. Results. Participants in the current ideator and past parasuicide groups had significantly higher preferences for privacy and significantly lower preferences for social stimulation within the prison environment than did the control group. There were no significant differences in the number of problem‐solving means produced among the three groups. Participants in the control group offered significantly more active relevant problem‐solving means than did participants in the other two groups. The current ideator group produced significantly more passive relevant problem‐solving means than did the past parasuicide and control groups. Conclusions. The significant differences in perceptions of the prison environment may be indicative of different coping mechanisms used to adapt to time in prison. It is concluded that the lack of significant differences in the generation of passive relevant problem‐solving means are related to parasuicide history. The lack of significant differences in the number of problem‐solving means produced is accounted for by the prevalence of problem‐solving deficits among an offender population.

Depression, hopelessness and suicide ideation among vulnerable prisoners

“…This was in keeping with a previous study among Northern Irish prisoners (Eidhin et al, 2002). The elevated scores among the prisoner group with a record of previous selfharm may reflect heightened vulnerability during the initial phases of imprisonment (first 24 to 48 hours) which are the most stressful and vulnerable period due to transition, changes in family relationships, personal reactions to imprisonment and the challenges of coping with prison life (Crighton and To wl, 1997;O'Connor and Sheehy, 2000).…”

Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory‐II with incarcerated male offenders aged 18–21 years

“…Krefetz et al, 2002;Kumar et al, 2002;Osman et al, 2004). The mean BDI-II score was similar to those reported by other studies with adult offender samples in England (Palmer and Connelly, 2005;mean 15.13) and Ireland (Eidhin et al, 2002;mean 16.31). The mean score was also similar to those reported with adolescent psychiatric inpatients and outpatients aged 13-17 in North America (Osman et al, 2004;mean 15.02;Steer et al, 1998;mean 15.83) but higher than the mean among US male college students mean 10.04;Carmody, 2005;mean 11.79).…”

“…Other studies have also found similar results. With an Irish offender sample, Eidhin et al (2002) reported that current suicide ideators had signifi cantly higher BDI-II scores than a control group with no history of suicidal ideation, as did Ivanoff et al (1992) in a US offender sample with BDI scores. Osman et al (2004) also reported signifi cant correlations between BDI-II scores and the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire -Revised (Osman et al, 2001) with North American adolescent psychiatric inpatients.…”

“…Where there have been studies with adolescent populations, again these have typically been with North American samples. The BDI-II (and its predecessor the Beck Depression Inventory) has been used to assess depression in offender samples (Boothby and Durham, 1999;Domalanta et al, 2003;Eidhin et al, 2002;Ivanoff et al, 1992;Palmer and Connelly, 2005). Boothby and Durham (1999) conducted a factor analysis of the BDI with incarcerated prisoner in North America, reporting four factors: cognitive symptoms, vegetative symptoms, emotional symptoms, and feelings of punishment.…”

Risk factors for self‐injurious behaviour in custody: Problems of definition and prediction

“…Personality disorder (any) Holley et al (1995), Maden et al (2000), Meltzer et al (2003), Life events Blaauw et al (2002), Kerkhof & Bernasco (1990), Rohde et al (1997b) Depression Biggam & Power (1999), Dear et al (2001), Eidhin et al (2002), Haines et al (1995), Holden & Kroner (2003), Holley et al (1995), Inch et al (1995, Ivanoff et al (1996), Kempton & Forehand (1992), Miller et al (1982), Mohino Justes et al (2004), Palmer & Connelly (2005), Penn et al (2003), Rohde et al (1997b), Ruchkin et al (2003), Shea (1993) Panton (1962) Hopelessness Biggam & Power (1999), Dear et al (2001), Eidhin et al (2002), Esposito & Clum (1999), Gray et al (2003), Holden & Kroner (2003), Hopes & Shaull (1986), Inch et al (1995, Ivanoff et al (1996) Kempton & Forehand (1992), Ruchkin et al (2003), Sanislow et al (2003) a Psychopathy was diagnosed with PCL-R (Hare, 1991). b Only PCL-R factor 1 was a predictor of suicidal behaviour.…”