Prevalence and characteristics of mental and physical disorders among female prisoners: a mixed-methods systematic review
International Journal of Prisoner Health
ISSN: 1744-9200
Article publication date: 10 May 2023
Issue publication date: 28 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide an overview and quality appraisal of the current scientific evidence concerning the prevalence and characteristics of mental and physical disorders among sentenced female prisoners.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods systematic literature review.
Findings
A total of 4 reviews and 39 single studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Mental disorders were the main area of investigation in the majority of single studies, with substance abuse, particularly drug abuse, as the most consistently gender biased disorder, with higher prevalence among women than men in prison. The review identified a lack of updated systematic evidence on the presence of multi-morbidity.
Originality/value
This study provides an up-to-date overview and quality appraisal of the current scientific evidence concerning the prevalence and characteristics of mental and physical disorders among female prisoners.
Keywords
Citation
Friestad, C., Haukvik, U.K., Johnsen, B. and Vatnar, S.K. (2023), "Prevalence and characteristics of mental and physical disorders among female prisoners: a mixed-methods systematic review", International Journal of Prisoner Health, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 599-627. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-12-2022-0080
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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