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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 9/2019

Open Access 01-09-2019 | Eating Disorder | Original Paper

An updated picture of the mental health needs of male and female prisoners in the UK: prevalence, comorbidity, and gender differences

Authors: Nichola Tyler, Helen L. Miles, Bessey Karadag, Gemma Rogers

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 9/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

Epidemiological data on the mental health needs of prisoners are essential for the organisation, planning, and delivery of services for this population as well as for informing policy and practice. Recent reports by the National Audit Office and NICE call for new research to provide an updated picture of the mental health needs of men and women in prison in the UK. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and comorbidity of mental health needs across a representative sample of both men and women across 13 prisons in one UK region.

Method

Participants completed a standardised battery of psychometric assessments which screened for a range of mental health difficulties including: mental disorders, personality disorder, and substance misuse.

Results

469 participants were included in the final sample (338 males, 131 females). A high number of participants reported having had previous contact with mental health services and/or a pre-existing diagnosis of a mental disorder. High rates of current mental disorder were detected across the range of disorders screened for. Levels of comorbidity were also high, with nearly half of participants screening positive for two or more types of mental disorder. Gender differences were noted in terms of previous contact with mental health services, having a pre-existing diagnosis, prevalence of current mental disorder, and levels of comorbidity; with women reporting higher rates than men.

Conclusions

Rates of pre-existing and current mental illness continue to be high amongst prisoners. Women report significantly higher levels of mental health need compared to men.
Footnotes
1
Major depression, bipolar, dysthymia.
 
2
Thought disorder, delusional disorder.
 
3
Major depression, bipolar, dysthymia.
 
4
Thought disorder, delusional disorder.
 
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Metadata
Title
An updated picture of the mental health needs of male and female prisoners in the UK: prevalence, comorbidity, and gender differences
Authors
Nichola Tyler
Helen L. Miles
Bessey Karadag
Gemma Rogers
Publication date
01-09-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 9/2019
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-019-01690-1

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