title: History of Solitary Confinement Is Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Individuals Recently Released from Prison.
abstract: This study assessed the relationship between solitary confinement and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a cohort of recently released former prisoners. The cross-sectional design utilized baseline data from the Transitions Clinic Network, a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study of post-incarceration medical care. Our main independent variable was self-reported solitary confinement during the participants' most recent incarceration; the dependent variable was the presence of PTSD symptoms determined by primary care (PC)-PTSD screening when participants initiated primary care in the community. We used multivariable logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders, such as prior mental health conditions, age, and gender. Among 119 participants, 43% had a history of solitary confinement and 28% screened positive for PTSD symptoms. Those who reported a history of solitary confinement were more likely to report PTSD symptoms than those without solitary confinement (43 vs. 16%, p < 0.01). In multivariable logistic regression, a history of solitary confinement (OR = 3.93, 95% CI 1.57-9.83) and chronic mental health conditions (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 1.52-10.68) were significantly associated with a positive PTSD screen after adjustment for the potential confounders. Experiencing solitary confinement was significantly associated with PTSD symptoms among individuals accessing primary care following release from prison. Larger studies should confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA. brian.hagan@med.einstein.yu.edu.|Montefiore Medical Center, 111 E. 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA. brian.hagan@med.einstein.yu.edu.
authors.forename: Brian O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Hagan
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Jenerius A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Aminawung
authors.affiliation: University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, San Juan, PR, 00936, USA.
authors.forename: Carmen E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Albizu-Garcia
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Nickolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zaller
authors.affiliation: Mt. Sinai St. Luke's and Mt. Sinai Roosevelt Hospitals, New York, NY, 10025, USA.
authors.forename: Sylviah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nyamu
authors.affiliation: University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, 94103, USA.
authors.forename: Shira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shavit
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.|Montefiore Medical Center, 111 E. 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deluca
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA. adfox@montefiore.org.|Montefiore Medical Center, 111 E. 210th Street, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA. adfox@montefiore.org.
authors.forename: Aaron D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020378:Confined Spaces; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Incarceration; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Post-traumatic stress disorder screening; Solitary confinement