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- Title
Procedural justice and prisoners' mental health problems: A longitudinal study.
- Authors
Beijersbergen, Karin A.; Dirkzwager, Anja J. E.; Eichelsheim, Veroni I.; Laan, Peter H.; Nieuwbeerta, Paul
- Abstract
ABSTRACT Background Given the high prevalence of mental health problems among prisoners, knowledge on its determinants is important. Prior cross-sectional studies suggest that procedurally just treatment within prison is a significant predictor; however, longitudinal research is lacking. Aim The aims of this study were to examine (1) the longitudinal relationship between prisoners' perceptions of procedural justice - including fairness, respect, humanity and relationships with officers - and their mental health and (2) the moderating role of coping style in this relationship. Methods Data were obtained from the Prison Project, a longitudinal study of adult male prisoners in the Netherlands, interviewed both 3 weeks and 3 months after their reception into pre-trial detention (N = 824). A cross-lagged structural equation model was employed to investigate associations. Results Prisoners who reported experiencing a higher level of procedural justice 3 weeks after their arrival in custody reported fewer mental health problems after 3 months. No evidence was found that coping style moderated this relationship. Conclusions These findings suggest a causal relationship between procedural justice and psychological well-being. Fair and respectful treatment of prisoners is a predictor not only of prison order and prisoners' compliance but also of prisoners' psychological well-being. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Subjects
MENTAL health; PRISONERS; PEOPLE with intellectual disabilities; CROSS-sectional method; LONGITUDINAL method
- Publication
Criminal Behaviour & Mental Health, 2014, Vol 24, Issue 2, p100
- ISSN
0957-9664
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/cbm.1881