266853 A Mixed Method: The Impact of Childhood Abuse on Female Inmates' Outcome Measures

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM

Seijeoung Kim, PhD , School of Public Health, Health Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Jessica Mazza, MSPH , School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago
(Background) Women experience higher rates of abuse prior to incarceration, both as children and as adults, as compared to the general population. In a 1999 survey of state prison inmates, 57.2% of women stated that they had been abused. (Objectives) By the end of this session, the participant will be able to identify the types of abuse experienced by women prior to incarceration, and will be able to describe how abuse contributes to the trajectory of female incarceration. (Methods) A mixed methodology approach was used. A questionnaire data which asked about prior abuse and current life circumstances was administered to 167 female inmates. In-depth interviews were conducted with female jail detainees (which came from the same population but not the same sample as questionnaire respondents). (Results) Mean age of the females who answered the questionnaire was 39.8. The sample was predominantly African American (72%). When asked about their childhood experiences, 47.9 % of respondents had been exposed to a type of abuse during childhood (physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect). Qualitative interview data confirmed these types of events; many women described dysfunctional family environments during childhood, including parental alcoholism, strained relationships with parents, and incest/molestation. Mental health, substance use, and lifestyle outcomes were also explored. (Discussion) Data presented here reveal that women who are in correctional settings have higher rates of reported abuse than the general population. Information about life trajectories of incarceration is useful when developing prevention and intervention programs for those females at risk of incarceration.

Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, the participant will be able to identify the types of abuse experienced by women prior to incarceration, and will be able to describe how abuse contributes to the trajectory of female incarceration.

Keywords: Jails and Prisons, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI on a NIDA funded K-award, which is the funding source for the study. I completed all 10 qualitative interviews and currently I am directing the survey.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.