Abstract

In this study coping with imprisonment among female inmates, and how it relates to experiencing separation from family and friends, is being explored. Data was collected via a survey of 194 female inmates in a Northeastern state correctional facility for women. The self-reported data included the Brief COPE assessment, as well as demographic and “contact” variables: visits, phone calls, and letter writing. The findings indicate that female prisoners tend to utilize adaptive coping methods to deal with their imprisonment. Specifically, letter writing was found to be positively associated with adaptive coping. However, visits from family members and from children were correlated with maladaptive coping and contributed to explaining the Negative Coping Index. Based on the results of descriptive and multivariate analyses, the correctional policies are suggested to better assist female prisoners’ cope with their imprisonment.

摘要

在这项研究中，正在探讨如何应对女性囚犯的监禁，以及它与经历与家人和朋友分离的关系。数据是通过对东北州女性惩教所的 194 名女性囚犯的调查收集的。自我报告的数据包括简要 COPE 评估，以及人口统计和“联系”变量：访问、电话和信件写作。研究结果表明，女性囚犯倾向于利用适应性应对方法来应对监禁。具体来说，发现写信与适应性应对呈正相关。然而，来自家庭成员和儿童的访问与适应不良的应对相关，并有助于解释负面应对指数。根据描述性和多变量分析的结果，