Childhood Adversity and Adult Depression Among the Incarcerated: Differential Exposure and Vulnerability by Race/Ethnicity and Gender

• NCJ Number: 248093
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 38 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2014 Pages: 1409-1420
• Author(s): Susan Roxburgh; Kelly R. MacArthur
• Date Published: August 2014
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Based on data from the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities, this study examined whether exposure and vulnerability to childhood adverse experiences varied by race/ethnicity and gender and whether there was an association between these childhood adverse events and depression in adulthood.

Abstract

The study found significant differences in exposure and vulnerability to childhood adversity by race/ethnicity and gender. Women inmates were more likely to report parental substance abuse, but all inmates were similarly vulnerable to this adverse experience. African-American men and women were more vulnerable to the effects of physical and sexual victimization than White and Hispanic men and women. Women were much more likely to be exposed to sexual victimizations; however, men who reported being sexually abused were significantly more depressed. All inmates who reported foster care experiences were significantly more depressed than other inmates, with the exception of White men. Given these findings, the authors advise that interventions for depression among offenders should target specific vulnerable groups according to race/ethnicity and gender. The 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities consisted of two surveys, both of which used the same data-collection instrument. These surveys provided nationally representative data on State prison inmates and sentenced Federal inmates. Face-to-face interviews of inmates collected information about a range of topics, including current offense and sentence, criminal history, family background, and personal characteristics, as well as measures of subjective well-being. The sample consisted of 13,328 respondents. Four types of childhood adversity were measured: parental/caretaker substance abuse, childhood physical assault, having spent part of childhood in foster care, and sexual assault prior to age 18. Depression was measured with two widely used, reliable, and well-validated instruments. 3 tables, 3 figures, and 72 references