title: Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder among incarcerated men.
abstract: Trauma exposure and trauma-related symptoms are prevalent among incarcerated men, suggesting a need for behavioral health intervention. A random sample of adult males (N = 592) residing in a single high-security prison were screened for trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Trauma was a universal experience among incarcerated men. Rates of current PTSD symptoms and lifetime PTSD were significantly higher (30 to 60 %) than rates found in the general male populations (3 to 6 %). Lifetime rates of trauma and PTSD were associated with psychiatric disorders. This study suggests the need for a gender-sensitive response to trauma among incarcerated men with modification for comorbid mental disorders and type of trauma exposure. Developing gender-sensitive trauma interventions for incarcerated men and testing them is necessary to improve the behavioral health outcomes of incarcerated men who disproportionately return to urban communities.
authors.affiliation: Center for Behavioral Health Services and Criminal Justice Research, Rutgers University, 176 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA, nwolff@cbhs.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huening
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: B Christopher
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Frueh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*