Mental Health of Incarcerated Veterans and Civilians: Latent Class Analysis of the 2016 Survey of Prison Inmates

Abstract

Using data from the 2016 Survey of Prison Inmates, this study used latent class analysis to examine patterns of mental health comorbidity within a large, nationally-representative sample of incarcerated adults ( N = 24,848), including 7.6% with prior military service. Classes were compared on Veteran status, military service-related variables, and treatment-related variables. Results suggest four latent mental health patterns—“Low Psychopathology” (70% of the total sample), “Internalizing + Thought Disorder” (8%), “Internalizing” (14%), and “High Psychopathology” (8%). The High Psychopathology class had the highest rates of prior psychiatric/psychological treatment. Incarcerated Veterans were more likely to be in the Internalizing class, and rates of combat exposure, military service-related injury, and less-than-honorable military discharge were highest in Internalizing and High Psychopathology classes. Results attest to the importance of person-centered mental health care within correctional settings and suggest a “treatment track” or “step-based” approach may best address the needs of individuals in these settings.