Abstract
BackgroundJustice-involved populations report a higher than average number of pre-incarceration stressful life events. However, few studies have described stressful life events which occur during incarceration, explored gender differences in these events, or evaluated the effect of these events on well-being.MethodThis study draws from a sample of male and female adults incarcerated in 6 prison facilities across two states (n = 160) to identify the number and type of stressful life events they experienced during incarceration, gender differences in stressful events, and the relationship between stressful life events and markers of well-being (i.e., depression, hopelessness, loneliness, suicidality). We also examined whether perceived social support would buffer the relationship between stressful events and well-being outcomes.ResultsParticipants on average reported experiencing 4 stressful life events during their current incarceration, the most common being relocation to another cell and being made fun of/insulted by someone in the prison. There were few gender differences in types of events experienced. Regression analyses showed that stressful life events were associated with more loneliness, as well as suicidality, but only when participants had low perceived social support.ConclusionsStressful life events, and drawing on social support networks to cope with stress, should be addressed in the context of correctional treatments to reduce suicide risk during incarceration.
Highlights
Justice-involved individuals comprise a sizeable portion of the U.S population, with almost 11 million adults entering the criminal justice system each year (Zheng, 2020) and 1 in 38 under some form of correctional supervision at any given time.Justice-involved individuals, more so than the general population, are chronically exposed to stressful interpersonal, financial, legal, and other life events (Harlow, 2003; Radatz & Wright, 2017; McDaniels-Wilson & Belknap, 2008; Scott, Lurigio, Dennis, & Funk, 2016)
Regression analyses showed that stressful life events were associated with more loneliness, as well as suicidality, but only when participants had low perceived social support
Stressful life events, and drawing on social support networks to cope with stress, should be addressed in the context of correctional treatments to reduce suicide risk during incarceration
Summary
Justice-involved individuals, more so than the general population, are chronically exposed to stressful interpersonal, financial, legal, and other life events (Harlow, 2003; Radatz & Wright, 2017; McDaniels-Wilson & Belknap, 2008; Scott, Lurigio, Dennis, & Funk, 2016). Incarceration prompts a variety of negative, stressful experiences (Carlson & Shafer, 2010; Fogel, 1993; Kupers, 1996) Stressors such as having a romantic relationship end, being assaulted, or losing custody of a child, as well as stressors specific to the incarceration context such as being denied parole or having issues with other incarcerated people or staff, are rarely emphasized in studies of stress, despite their potential impact on adjustment (Blaauw, Winkel, & Kerkhof, 2001; Buchman-Schmitt et al, 2017). Few studies have described stressful life events which occur during incarceration, explored gender differences in these events, or evaluated the effect of these events on well-being
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
