Mental health, positive affectivity and wellbeing in prison: a comparative study between young and older prisoners

Abstract

Objective: To explore socio-demographic, psychological and psychopathological characteristics, as well as to evaluate behaviour in a sample of inmates. Material and methods: A sample of 182 young and elderly inmates of the Madrid III Prison was used. The research was carried out with a battery of self-report psychological questionnaires and objective measurements obtained through the prison files. Comparisons of means were made to see if there are significant differences between the two groups (young and elderly inmates) in the variables analysed. Results: The analysis shows that there are no significant differences in wellbeing between young and elderly inmates. However, young people have higher levels of psychological distress, more presence of negative emotions and have a more maladjusted behaviour in prison (they consume more cannabis and have more disciplinary proceedings registered). Older people regulate their emotions better, adopt the perspectives of others more effectively and show themselves to be friendlier. Conclusions: The elderly inmates in prison, compared with the youngest ones, have better psychological adjustment, more internal resources and are better adapted to the prison environment despite there being no differences in related variables such as time in prison.