Older adults incarcerated in state prison: health and quality of life disparities between age cohorts. (1st February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prost, Stephanie Grace; Archuleta, Adrian J.; Golder, Seana
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 25:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 260
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2021-02-01
• Subjects: Chronic conditions -- cohort effects -- functional impairment -- post-traumatic stress -- prisoners; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1693976
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This research sought to describe the physical and psychological health and quality of life among older adult men incarcerated in a state prison and to examine the role of age and historical time between age cohorts. Methods: Survey responses from male respondents incarcerated in a medium-security prison ( N = 186) were described using frequencies and descriptive statistics; chi-square and analysis of variance analyses were used to examine differences between age cohorts. Results: The average number of chronic health conditions for the sample was higher than those in similar samples; the proportion of older adults with four or more chronic conditions was 10% higher than the national average for adults age 65 or older. Depression and post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptom severity scores were higher than those found in community-based samples. Significant differences were identified between cohorts regarding physical (number of chronic conditions, F = 12.48, p < .01); functional impairment, F = 4.28, p < .05) and psychological health (PTS symptom severity, F = 3.16, p < .05). Conclusion: Policy and practice implications are discussed including the expansion of on- and off-site services for older adults in prisons, enhanced accessibility, and the use of grief counseling and stress management strategies.