[Psychiatric symptoms in German short-term and long-term prisoners].
Previous studies have indicated high prevalence rates of mental disorders among prisoners. Based on a sample of 98 male German long-term prisoners and 94 male German short-term prisoners, psychiatric symptoms were comparatively assessed by means of the brief symptom inventory (BSI). The study showed a considerable increased in psychological stress, especially with regard to long-term prisoners. In this context a significant difference (p<0.01) was found between short-term and long-term prisoners where 65% of long-term prisoners and 40% of short-term prisoners showed a noticeable increase in the amount of psychological stress. Furthermore, high prevalence rates of a history of attempted suicide (29.7%) and self-injurious behavior (43.2%) were found. The following clinical implications are deduced from this study: there is a general need for treatment during imprisonment, especially with respect to long-term prisoners. In addition, the high rates of attempted suicide and self-injurious behavior require a focus on a more elaborated crisis management as well as psychotherapeutic treatment for this population.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald am Hanseklinikum Stralsund, Rostocker Chaussee 70, 18437, Stralsund, Deutschland. daniel.kopp@uni-greifswald.de
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Kopp
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Drenkhahn
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Dünkel
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Freyberger
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Spitzer
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Barnow
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Dudeck
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult