Relationship between adaptation and self-esteem in addicted female prisoners in the south east of Iran

Psychological wellbeing, family cohesion, and purposeful life in male prisoners: A cross-sectional study

Background

Psychological wellbeing, family cohesion, and purposeful life are important determinants of the prisoners' overall wellbeing and health; therefore, their evaluation is extremely important in prisoners as a vulnerable group.

Objective

This study evaluated psychological wellbeing, family cohesion, purposeful life, and their correlations in male prisoners.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used simple random sampling to select 259 male prisoners. Data were collected using questionnaires of Ryff psychological wellbeing, Fischer family cohesion, and Crumbaugh and Maholick purpose in life.

Results

Majority of (78%) the participants were 20-40 years old and married (59%). The mean scores of psychological wellbeing, family cohesion, and purposeful life of the male prisoners were moderate. Psychological wellbeing was directly correlated to family cohesion in male prisoners, but it had no significant correlation with a purposeful life. Family cohesion was not significantly correlated to a purposeful life.

Conclusion

Regarding the moderate level of psychological wellbeing in prisoners, it is suggested to pay more attention to educational and supportive programs in prisons for promoting such indicators in prisoners.

The effect of transactional analysis on the self-esteem of imprisoned women: a clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The imprisoned women usually have low self-esteem and suffer from various physical and mental complaints; they may suffer from feelings of emptiness, isolation, and depression. Transactional analysis (TA) is part of a comprehensive system attributed to the individual and social psychiatry for personal development of self-esteem among the imprisoned women. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of TA group-training on the self-esteem of imprisoned women.

METHODS

This clinical trial was conducted among the imprisoned women in a prison in Southeastern Iran using pretest-posttest design. In this regard, 76 women were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 35) and control (n = 41) groups. The TA group-training program was held for eight 90-min sessions for the intervention group. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Rosenberg's self-esteem scale (RSES). Later, all participants were evaluated before and 1 month after the intervention.

RESULTS

In pre-test, the mean scores of self-esteem were 11.8 ± 4.67 and 7.97 ± 4.52 for the intervention and control groups, respectively. These scores showed low levels of self-esteem and the difference between the two groups was significant (p = 0.001, t = - 3.61). In the post-test, the mean scores of self-esteem improved to the moderate level (22 ± 2.52) in the intervention group compared to the control group (8.92 ± 4.04). This indicates the significant improvement of self-esteem in the intervention group (p = 0.001, t = 17.15).

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that TA group-training had a significant effect on self-esteem. Therefore, the experienced and expert counselors and psychologists are recommended to hold transactional analysis group-training courses to enhance self-esteem among women prisoners.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20170725035289N5 Date registered: 25/08/2018.

Sociodemographic, Legal, and Clinical Profiles of Female Forensic Inpatients in Karnataka: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Forensic patients are often admitted to psychiatric hospitals without any details of illness or treatment. They pose a unique challenge for clinical services in the context of diagnosis, management, and particularly legal issues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review using a structured data-extraction tool. A total of 23 female forensic inpatients were admitted under the Department of Psychiatry from January 2006 to June 2016. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 31.3 ± 7.9 years. In total, 82.6% of them were married, 87% were from a nuclear family, and 78.3% were from an urban background. Totally, 73.9% were referred from prison and 26.1% from the court. However, 73.9% were referred for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment and 21.7% for assessment of fitness to stand trial. Moreover, 47.8% had an alleged charge of murder (of killing close family members). A total of 30.4% had schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and 47.8% had a mood disorder. The mean duration of inpatient care was 6.2 ± 7.4 weeks, and 87% had shown considerable clinical improvement at the time of discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of female forensic patients were young adults from nuclear families. They had mood disorders, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders. They were referred primarily for treatment purposes. Prospective studies are required for a better characterization of the relationship between crime and psychiatric disorders.