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Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen University

Die Prävalenz psychischer Störungen bei Frauen in Haft

Abstract

dc:description

Background: While the international literature documents a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in prisoners, German studies in this field are rare. The knowledge is even worse with regard to female prisoners. The purpose of this study was to investigate DSM-IV Axes I and II psychiatric disorders, current psychopathology, and to estimate treatment needs in prisoners. Sample and methods: On the 1st of May 2002 all female prisoners in Bielefeld Brackwede I, Germany, were included. 63 women participated. Criminal history and current living conditions were investigated using a questionnaire and the prison’s documents, psychopathology (SCL-90-R) as well as psychiatric disorders were investigated using structured clinical interviews (SCID I und II), childhood trauma history experiences where determinated with the CTQ. Apart from underrepresentation of short stays, the sample was with regard to age, nationality, and length of stay quite well comparable to all female prisoners in the state of North-Rhine-Westfalia, Germany. Results: In 92.1% of the sample at least one current axis I (85.7%) and/or axis II personality disorder (65.1%) was found. The most frequent disorders where with nearly 70% substance use disorders, including over 60% with opioide dependence. Anxiety disorders where found in over 40%, including over 30% with posttraumatic stress disorders. The most frequent personality disorders where the borderline personality disorder (42.9%), paranoid personality disorder (33.3%) and antisocial personality disorder (30.2%). Comorbidity rates were high with 3,5 + 2,7 diagnoses per case. Mean SCL scores revealed a substantial psychopathologic burden. In the CTQ, a high percentage of the prisoners reported severe childhood traumatic experiences. A specific treatment need was indicated in over 90% of the sample, most frequently substance use treatments. Conclusion: These results indicate that the number of mentally ill persons in prisons is substantially higher than in specialized hospitals for mentally ill criminals (in Germany Massregelvollzug). More treatment options are urgently needed than realized up to now.

Degree

thesis:*
Grantor dc:publisher
Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen University
Year dc:date
2006

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Widmann, Bernhard
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Schneider, Frank

Subjects

dc:subject × 13

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Language dc:language
ger

Identifiers

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Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
RWTH Aachen University
Base URL
publications.rwth-aachen.de/oai2d
Last updated
2026-07-30
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Widmann, Bernhard. Die Prävalenz psychischer Störungen bei Frauen in Haft. Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen University, 2006. https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/record/53026