Features of coping behavior at prisoners in a pre-trial detention center

Abstract

Aim. To study the coping behavior of persons in a pre-trial detention facility in order to identify groups at risk of psychological maladjustment.

Methods. The survey method and the Heim’s methodology for diagnosing of the coping strategies were used.

Results. It was found that non-adaptive and relatively adaptive behavioral and cognitive coping strategies prevail over adaptive ones in all the comparison groups. In all groups, the greatest number of maladaptive coping was found in the emotional sphere. The presence of adaptive cognitive coping is associated with a negative attitude to one’s offense, maladaptability of behavioral coping is associated with aggression, and emotional coping is associated with the use of psychoactive substances. The adaptability of behavioral strategies is associated with the presence of “experience” of the institutional confinement. It is established that newly arrived prisoners are at risk of psychological maladjustment, and prisoners who are held in common prison’s rooms have high indices of coping adaptability.

Conclusions. The surveyed comparison groups differ in the targets of psychological correction. The risk groups for developing mental maladjustment are newly arrived prisoners.

Keywords

psychological adaptation / coping behavior / penitentiary psychiatry

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Petrova N.N., Kurapova E.Y., Khomenko A.E.