title: Incarcerated Women's Experiences and Beliefs About Psychotropic Medication: An Empirical Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research has consistently shown that incarcerated women experience mental illness at disproportionate rates and heavily use psychiatric medication. This study examined factors related to incarcerated women's experiences and beliefs about psychotropic medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  The researchers conducted a survey with 274 women incarcerated at a medium-security correctional institution in a Mid-Atlantic state. A 35-item questionnaire was created that solicited data on, among other things, experiences with and perceptions of psychotropic medication use and locus of control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over three-quarters of participants (77%) reported currently taking psychotropic medication, and antidepressants were most common (93%). Of those taking psychotropic medication, more than half (51%) took more than one type. Univariate analyses indicated strong endorsement of questionnaire items related to positive effects of medication and personal agency in decision making about medication use. Current medication use predicted perceptions of more positive therapeutic effects (p<.001) and higher impact of medication on life (p<.001). External locus of control predicted four aspects of experience with psychotropic medication, including a decreased perception of personal agency regarding medication use (p=.038) and a greater likelihood of experiencing stigma related to medication use (p<.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychotropic medication use during incarceration is a complex phenomenon that is related not only to perceived therapeutic effects of medication but also to issues of impact, personal agency, locus of control, stigma, and perceived biological vulnerability.
authors.affiliation: The authors are with the School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (e-mail: kbentley@vcu.edu ).
authors.forename: Kia J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.affiliation: The authors are with the School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond (e-mail: kbentley@vcu.edu ).
authors.forename: Rachel C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Casey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: Women, Psychopharmacology/psychosocial aspects, Patient perceptions, Jails &amp; prisons/mental health services