title: Trauma and life event stressors among young and older adult prisoners.
abstract: This study examined lifetime trauma and life event stressors among young and older prisoners. A stratified random sample of young (age 18 to 24 years) and older (age 55 and above) male prisoners was drawn from the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Fifty-eight participants completed a modified version of the Trauma and Stressful Life Experiences Screening Inventory during face-to-face interviews. Approximately 40% of young and older adult prisoners reported exposure to violent victimization. Young prisoners were significantly more likely to report witnessing physical assault, whereas older prisoners were significantly more likely to report experiencing a natural disaster, life-threatening illness, or the death of a loved one. Information about the frequency of lifetime trauma and life event stressors can be used to develop or improve trauma-informed services that target age-specific needs, especially for young and older prisoners.
authors.affiliation: Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, New York, New York, USA. tmaschi@fordham.edu
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maschi
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Kristen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Zgoba
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morgen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult