Perceived quality of life and mental health status of female prisoners

Abstract

Mental health status and quality of life of female prisoners were examined as part of a cross¿sectional, healthcare study of the Irish prisoner population. There is evidence that female prisoners have higher levels of mental disorders than their male counterparts. Drug abuse has become a major problem in female prisons. In some women poor mental health status and drug-related problems may be inter-related. Quality of life is an important aspect of mental health. In order to examine the impact of drug use, gender, mental health status and imprisonment on quality of life of Irish female prisoners omparisons were made with drug-using and non drug-using male prisoners and with women from the general population of the same age and socioeconomic background. Quality of life is conceptualised as the individuals perception of their position in life, in the context of their culture and value systems and in relation to their goals, expectations and standards and modified by their physical and psychological state, social relationships and environmental factors.