Changes in Depression and Stress after Release from a Tobacco-Free Prison in the United States

Jacob J. Van den Berg, Mary B. Roberts, Beth C. Bock, Rosemarie A. Martin, L.A.R. Stein, Donna R. Parker, Arthur R. McGovern, Sarah Hart Shuford and Jennifer G. Clarke
Additional contact information
Jacob J. Van den Berg: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA
Mary B. Roberts: Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA
Beth C. Bock: Centers for Behavioral & Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA
Rosemarie A. Martin: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Box G-S121-4, Providence, RI 02912, USA
L.A.R. Stein: Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Chafee Hall, 142 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Donna R. Parker: Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA
Arthur R. McGovern: Department of Psychology, Nichols College, 129 Center Road, Dudley, MA 01571, USA
Sarah Hart Shuford: Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA
Jennifer G. Clarke: Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Prior research has found high levels of depression and stress among persons who are incarcerated in the United States (U.S.). However, little is known about changes in depression and stress levels among inmates post-incarceration. The aim of this study was to examine changes in levels of depression and stress during and after incarceration in a tobacco-free facility. Questionnaires that included valid and reliable measures of depression and stress were completed by 208 male and female inmates approximately eight weeks before and three weeks after release from a northeastern U.S. prison. Although most inmates improved after prison, 30.8% had a worsening in levels of depression between baseline and the three-week follow-up. In addition, 29.8% had a worsening in levels of stress after release than during incarceration. While it is not surprising that the majority of inmates reported lower levels of depression and stress post-incarceration, a sizable minority had an increase in symptoms, suggesting that environmental stressors may be worse in the community than in prison for some inmates. Further research is needed to address depression and stress levels during and after incarceration in order for inmates to have a healthier transition back into the community and to prevent repeat incarcerations.

Keywords: depression; stress; prisoners; post-release; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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