The heterogeneity of the world assumptions of older adults in prison: Do differing worldviews have a mental health effect?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a set of profiles on incarcerated older adults, which map the association between world assumptions, trauma, and indicators of mental health, including stress, depression, anxiety, hostility, and paranoia. A sample of 667 incarcerated older adults in prison completed a self-administered survey that included the World Assumptions Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, and an index of subjective trauma experiences. Latent class analysis was used to model the heterogeneity in the sample. The authors identified three distinct classes of world assumption profiles among the study participants: a highly resilient group, a group who liked themselves, but no one else, and a group with elevated mental health indicators. The findings have theoretical implications for understanding cognitive schemas and life-course traumatic experiences as well as suggestions for identifying incarcerated individuals most at risk of psychological problems.

Co-constructing community: A conceptual map for reuniting aging people in prison with their families and communities.

“…Prior studies have shown that older adults in prison experience both earlier and later life trauma, such as being a victim of or witness to family, community or structural violence. Other types of traumatic experiences include childhood abuse, neglect, exploitation, natural or human made disasters, war, the unexpected or expected death of a loved one, widowhood, and receiving a serious physical or mental health diagnosis (Maschi & Aday, 2014; Maschi & Baer, 2013; Maschi, Viola, Morgen, & Koskinen, 2013). Additionally, many incarcerated and formerly incarcerated older adults report a history of social/structural trauma, such as living in poverty and financial stress, homelessness, incarceration, separation or divorce, sudden unemployment, caregiver stress, historical or cultural discrimination, stigma, or oppression (Maschi & Aday, 2014; Maschi, Viola, Morgen, & Koskinen, 2013).…”

Aging in Prison and the Social Mirror: Reflections and Insights on Care and Justice

“…They also emphasize the resilience or protective factors, such as internal and external coping mechanisms and services, which are essential to the development and maintenance of health and well-being and smooth transitions (Agnew, 1989;Elder, 1974Elder, , 2003Laub & Sampson, 1993;Norris, 1992;Pearlin & Skaff, 1996;Sampson & Laub, 2003). Understanding that world-view of individuals and cultural groups influences how people make sense of health and well-being until the end of life (Maschi & Baer, 2013). After all, these findings are validated by our body of research on trauma, coping, and well-being among older adults in prison Maschi, Viola, & Morgen, 2013).…”

“…To better address these issues, having a nurturing atmosphere (as opposed to an unhealthy and punitive prison environment) will help in rehabilitating imprisoned older adults eligible for prison release. When it comes to parole consideration, many older adults are denied parole based on their history of violent criminal offense and may be expected to spend their lives in prison (Goetting, 1984; Maschi et al, 2013). As these are sensitive parole decisions, citizens should weigh in their views on how we could create a fair playing field among us by balancing care and justice for all concerned.…”

“…The images of diverse older adults, such as those shown here, together with their unique and collective life stories, before, during, and after prison, has brought local and global recognition of this fast‐growing “silver tsunami” (Bartels & Naslund, 2013). Some of the issues that members of the older generation struggle with, particularly minority groups, are linked to early life cumulative disadvantages such as health and mental health problems, social isolation and inequality, toxic stress, prejudice, and lack of access to quality education, and community services (Maschi et al, 2013). Furthermore, the experiences of prolonged imprisonment significantly exacerbate these cumulative disadvantages (Maschi et al, 2011; Maschi et al, 2014; Maschi et al, 2015).…”