Problem solving and suicidality among prison inmates: Another look at state versus trait.

Abstract

This research examines the relationships between means-ends problem solving and suicidality among adult male prison inmates in light of new evidence based on inpatient and college student populations suggesting that state, rather than trait, vulnerabilities may be responsible for problem-solving deficits and differences. Using the Means-Ends Problem-Solving Procedure (MEPS) with 93 state prison inmates, we found that among inmates with a history of parasuicide, current suicidality did not affect problem-solving performance. We further found that among nonsuicidal inmates, parasuicide history had no effect on problem solving or affect-suicidality measures. Although these results support new research suggesting that trait problem-solving deficits are not causally linked to suicidality, they raise questions about the potentially unique relationships among suicidality, problem solving, depression, and hopelessness in incarcerated populations.

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

“…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.…”

Suicidality and the state-trait debate on problem solving deficits: A re-examination with incarcerated young offenders

“…The study by Ivanoff et al (1992) aimed to examine the statdtrait debate in a penal population, and examined the effects of parasuicide history among suicidal and non-suicidal inmates with regards to interpersonal problemsolving and standard psychological distress and suicidality measures. The MEPS was used with 93 inmates, and the results indicated no differences in problem-solving performance between currently suicidal versus non-suicidal subjects with a history of parasuicide.…”

Human-Animal Interaction in a Prison Setting: Impact on Criminal Behavior, Treatment Progress, and Social Skills

“…Hypotheses were based in part on findings from HAI program benefits experienced thus far by nursing-home and hospital residents, as residents and inmates likely experience similar difficulties, namely loneliness, boredom, dependence, and aberrant social behavior (Ivanoff et al, 1992;Phillips, 2001). To date, only a small number of studies have explored HAI in correctional settings, and the findings have been mixed.…”