NCJ Number
226394
Journal
Legal and Criminological Psychology Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2009 Pages: 101-107
Date Published
February 2009
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationships between social problem-solving, anxiety, and depression in adult male prisoners.
Abstract
Consistent with prior studies, the findings support the hypothesis that negative problem orientation (NPO) would be the strongest predictor of anxiety and depression in prisoners. NPO includes feelings of nervousness, threat, and fear in response to problems. In a prison setting, this may serve to protect the individual against conflict with and abuse by dominant others, or it may be disabling both for coping with imprisonment and for effective participation in rehabilitation programs. The study findings suggest that interventions to assist some prisoners cope are required. Research has identified social problem-solving ability as a significant mediator between stressful life-events and psychological distress in community samples. The problem-solving model of stress and social functioning has relevance to prisoners both in relation to their offending and to their ability to cope with imprisonment. Problem-solving training has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in young offenders. In an attempt to advance this finding, this study focused on adult male prisoners. The study examined the specific relationships between anxiety and depression. Sixty-eight participants completed the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised: Short Version (SPSI-R-S) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Tables and references