Traumatic Stress Among Women who are Incarcerated: A Community Engaged Approach to Determining Needs and Opportunities for Intervention.

Abstract

The rate of increase at which women are incarcerated in the United States dramatically outpaces the rate of increase among men. Women frequently enter incarceration after facing extensive trauma and often suffer the consequences of unacknowledged and undertreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, little is known regarding the types of traumas that women who are incarcerated (WI) experience, the types/magnitude of traumatic stress symptoms endured, or attitudes towards intervention. We sought to understand trauma experiences of WI (particularly those related to violent victimization), the degree of traumatic stress symptoms faced, and population-tailored opportunities for intervention. Via sequential mixed methods, we assessed trauma exposure and symptoms in 51 WI in two state prisons, then conducted 16 in-depth interviews. Participants universally reported exposure to traumatic life events, demonstrating collectively high PTSD symptom severity. Qualitatively, we deductively applied three main themes to interview data: trauma exposure, trauma responses, and recovery. Findings highlight the essential nature of trauma-focused service availability for WI.