Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Globally, there is a rapid increase in the prison population, and being a marginalized population put them at risk of depression. The objective of this study is to determine and explore the contributing factors of depression among adult prison inmates in a local prison. Malaysia. METHODS: A mixed methods sequential explanatory study was undertaken using the Biopsychosocial model at a medium security prison in Malaysia. In the first quantitative phase, 460 inmates were selected using the probability proportional to size using stratified random sampling. A cross-sectional data was collected using a validated and pre-tested questionnaire, which depression was screened using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictors using SPSS. In the follow up qualitative phase, a semi-structured interview was undertaken with 16 inmates to help explain and deepen understanding of the quantitative results. The conversations were recorded, transcribed as verbatim, and analysed using a thematic analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 40.7%. Depression was predicted by perceived having stress, longer duration of sentences, being non-Muslim, presence of communicable disease, and history of childhood abuse. Qualitative phase explained that accessibility, stigma, dissatisfaction, inadequate social support, perceived misjudgement, the uncertainty of future, and internal states including guilt, shame, and regret as a contributing factor of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Study showed a high prevalence of depression among inmates. There is a need for more significant investment in strengthening mental health services, improvement in the prison environment, and the criminal justice system.
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@proceedings{APCPH-2019-49,
title = {Exploring Contributing Factors of Depression Among Inmates in a Local Prison Malaysia: A Mixed Methods Study},
author = {Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat and Gunenthira Rao},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-07-22},
urldate = {2019-07-22},
journal = {6th Asia-Pacific Conference on Public Health 2019 Proceedings},
issue = {6},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Globally, there is a rapid increase in the prison population, and being a marginalized population put them at risk of depression. The objective of this study is to determine and explore the contributing factors of depression among adult prison inmates in a local prison. Malaysia. METHODS: A mixed methods sequential explanatory study was undertaken using the Biopsychosocial model at a medium security prison in Malaysia. In the first quantitative phase, 460 inmates were selected using the probability proportional to size using stratified random sampling. A cross-sectional data was collected using a validated and pre-tested questionnaire, which depression was screened using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictors using SPSS. In the follow up qualitative phase, a semi-structured interview was undertaken with 16 inmates to help explain and deepen understanding of the quantitative results. The conversations were recorded, transcribed as verbatim, and analysed using a thematic analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 40.7%. Depression was predicted by perceived having stress, longer duration of sentences, being non-Muslim, presence of communicable disease, and history of childhood abuse. Qualitative phase explained that accessibility, stigma, dissatisfaction, inadequate social support, perceived misjudgement, the uncertainty of future, and internal states including guilt, shame, and regret as a contributing factor of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Study showed a high prevalence of depression among inmates. There is a need for more significant investment in strengthening mental health services, improvement in the prison environment, and the criminal justice system.},
note = {Type: ORAL PRESENTATION; Organisation:},
keywords = {Adult, Depression, Inmates, Prison},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {proceedings}
}