Psychosocial Problems and Coping Strategies of Prisoners: A Study in West Gojjam Zone
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study was aimed to examine the nature of psychosocial problems and coping strategies of
prisoners. Data pertaining to these variables were obtainedfrom 200 (148 male, 52 Female, mean
age = 25.85 years) prisoners of West Gojjam Zone Prison in Bahir Dar. The males were chosen
randomly but almost all the available females were included as samples. The indices of
psychosocial variables and coping were gathered using scales. Specifically, the instruments used
in this study were Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Depression Scale Short Form, DASS-Anxiety
Version, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Interpersonal Problem Inventory, Loneliness Scale, and
Brief COPE Inventory. Consequently, the results of severity rating indexes and one sample t-tests
suggest that prisoners are vulnerable to very serious levels of stress, depression, and anxiety but
moderate level of self-esteem, interpersonal problem, and loneliness an a group. The cooccurrence
of those problems was found very significant. The coping mechanisms used by the
prisoners are highly correlated with the problems they are facing. Furthermore, the
predominantly used coping strategy was religious cope. Of course, the group difference results
show that almost all psychosocial variables and coping strategies were not sex dependent with
some exceptions. Indeed, length of sentence was influential factor to aggravate the level of stress,
depression, anxiety, loneliness, and to diminish self-esteem, but not interpersonal problem. On the
other hand, most of the coping strategies were significantly depend on the length of incarcerated
time as well as on rate offamily visit Accordingly, appropriate biopsychosocial intervention and
preventions, trainings or professional care and supports have been recommended.
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examine the nature of psychosocial problems