NCJ Number
137546
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 17 Issue: 3/4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 113-122
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A sample of 146 male inmates housed in a county detention facility in the southeastern U.S. participated in this study which tested an interactional "state of mind" model of hopelessness among inmates. The subjects completed measures of problem-solving appraisal, perceived social alienation, rigid/irrational beliefs, reasons for living, hopelessness, and depression.
Abstract
The study hypothesized that each cognitive factor would interact with jail stress to account for hopelessness, independent of mood. The results obtained through hierarchical regression analysis supported the hypothesis. The findings indicated that inmates who saw themselves as ineffective at problem-solving, lonely, and isolated also perceived themselves as having few adaptive resources or reasons for living. Those who tended to be unrealistic or rigid in their thinking were particularly vulnerable to developing negative outcome expectancies, becoming hopeless, and considering suicide. Their negative state of mind interfered with realistic appraisal, coping behavior, and utilizing psychosocial resources in times of stress. 2 tables and 25 references