Date of Graduation

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Sociology (MA)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Sociology and Criminology

Advisor/Mentor

Kevin Fitzpatrick

Committee Member

Casey Harris

Second Committee Member

Mindy Bradley

Keywords

Incarceration; Mental Health; Quality of life; Risk and Protection

Abstract

Approximately 40 percent of incarcerated adults experience some history of mental illness, whereas prevalence in the general population is less than 20 percent (Criss & John, 2023). The Survey of Prison Inmates (SPI) is a self-reported survey, examining numerous aspects of prisoners’ life. It has been used to quantify the prevalence of both physical and mental health problems, however, little or no examination regarding the underlying health determinants has been done. The current study assessed state prisoners in the United States and examined both risk and protective factors (historical and current) and their relationships to mental health. The results showed that several risk and protective factors influence incarcerated persons mental health, and the strongest were homelessness before age 18 (b = .569, [CI95%:.50-.64]) and contact with children (b = -.169, [CI95%:(-.25)-(-.09)]). The final model of this study suggests that risk and protection of incarcerated persons’ mental health is influenced by multiple factors, both inside and outside the prison environment. The study defines the exact factors, some of which can be decreased and/or increased, and some of which would need further elaboration and more comprehensive examination. Improving incarcerated persons mental health can not only help the individual and their transition in varying living environments and conditions, but also the daily life of other inmates and the guards.

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