Women in prison with traumatic brain injury : prevalence, mechanism, and impact on mental health

Woolhouse, Rachel

Women in prison with traumatic brain injury : prevalence, mechanism, and impact on mental health Rachel Woolhouse, Audrey McKinlay and Randolph C. Grace - Sage, 2018 - International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology .

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2018, 62(10): 3135–3150

Relatively little is known about the characteristics of female offenders. Here, we studied the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental health issues in an exclusively female prison population in New Zealand. Participants (N = 38) were recruited from all security levels at Christchurch Women’s Prison. Measures for depression, anxiety, and stress, sleep, and a history of TBI were administered; 94.7% (36/38) of participants presented with a history of TBI. Younger age at first injury was associated with an increased risk of mental health problems. The study concludes that TBI is highly prevalent among female offenders and may be linked to increased mental health problems. TBI should be considered as an important factor in offender pathways and treatment programs. (Authors' abstract). This research involved 38 women at Christchurch Women's Prison. Follow the link to read the associated master's thesis. Record #6522


DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
MENTAL HEALTH
PREVALENCE
PRISONERS
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
WOMEN
WOMEN PRISONERS
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE


NEW ZEALAND
CHRISTCHURCH