Faculty Collaboration Database

Epidemiological associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and incarceration in the National Survey of American Life. Crim Behav Ment Health 2016 Apr;26(2):110-23

Date

03/04/2015

Pubmed ID

25732512

DOI

10.1002/cbm.1951

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84923674120 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   38 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In spite of an elevated prevalence of trauma histories among prisoners, there has been little research examining the relationship between incarceration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); this is especially true for Black Americans.

AIMS: To examine relationships between PTSD and incarceration in a nationally representative sample of Black Americans.

METHODS: We conducted analysis of data from the National Survey of American Life sample of 5008 Black American adults in the USA. Multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for demographic factors including age, gender, home region and education were conducted to examine whether incarceration status was independently associated with PTSD.

RESULTS: Incarceration was significantly associated with trauma exposure, PTSD in the 12 months prior to interview and lifetime PTSD, even while controlling for demographic covariates.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Incarceration, trauma exposure and PTSD share a significant number of risk factors and co-vary frequently in some populations, including the one of Black Americans investigated in this study. Interventions that can reduce shared risk factors for incarceration and PTSD and/or facilitate successful treatment of the established condition have the potential to make a large positive impact among incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people.

Author List

Anderson RE, Geier TJ, Cahill SP

Author

Timothy J. Geier PhD Assistant Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Prisoners
Prisons
Risk Factors
Sex Distribution
Socioeconomic Factors
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
Young Adult