title: Changes in Depression and Stress after Release from a Tobacco-Free Prison in the United States.
abstract: Prior research has found high levels of depression and stress among persons who are incarcerated in the United States (U.S.). However, little is known about changes in depression and stress levels among inmates post-incarceration. The aim of this study was to examine changes in levels of depression and stress during and after incarceration in a tobacco-free facility. Questionnaires that included valid and reliable measures of depression and stress were completed by 208 male and female inmates approximately eight weeks before and three weeks after release from a northeastern U.S. prison. Although most inmates improved after prison, 30.8% had a worsening in levels of depression between baseline and the three-week follow-up. In addition, 29.8% had a worsening in levels of stress after release than during incarceration. While it is not surprising that the majority of inmates reported lower levels of depression and stress post-incarceration, a sizable minority had an increase in symptoms, suggesting that environmental stressors may be worse in the community than in prison for some inmates. Further research is needed to address depression and stress levels during and after incarceration in order for inmates to have a healthier transition back into the community and to prevent repeat incarcerations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA. Jacob_Vandenberg@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Jacob J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.affiliation: Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA. Mary_Roberts@mhri.org.
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Centers for Behavioral &amp; Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Coro West, Suite 309, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA. Beth_Bock@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Beth C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Box G-S121-4, Providence, RI 02912, USA. Rosemarie_Martin@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Rosemarie A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Chafee Hall, 142 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI 02881, USA. LARStein@uri.edu.
authors.forename: L A R
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA. Donna_Parker@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Donna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Nichols College, 129 Center Road, Dudley, MA 01571, USA. Arthur.McGovern@nichols.edu.
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.affiliation: Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA. Sarah_Shuford@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah Hart
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shuford
authors.affiliation: Center for Primary Care and Prevention, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, USA. Jennifer_Clarke@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009511:New England; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: United States; depression; post-release; prisoners; stress