Research in Health and Medical Sciences
Sat, Aug 15, 2026
[Archive]
Volume 4, Issue 4 (10-2025)
JRHMS 2025, 4(4): 10-20 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Hamidi M, Khosravi S, Chinaveh M. Exploring the mental health of newly admitted prisoners: A phenomenological study with emphasis on personality, family, and religious factors. JRHMS 2025; 4 (4) :10-20
URL: http://jrhms.thums.ac.ir/article-1-162-en.html
URL: http://jrhms.thums.ac.ir/article-1-162-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran
2- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Zand Institute of higher Education, Shiraz, Iran
3- Department of Psychology, Pishtazan Higher Education Institute, Shiraz, Iran
2- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Zand Institute of higher Education, Shiraz, Iran
3- Department of Psychology, Pishtazan Higher Education Institute, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract: (1 Views)
The transition into prison is a disruptive life event marked by emotional distress, uncertainty, and loss of autonomy. Identifying psychosocial factors that influence early adjustment is essential for effective correctional mental health interventions. This study examined the relationships among personality traits, family functioning, and religiosity in newly admitted prisoners, with emphasis on the mediating role of religiosity in psychological adjustment. A cross sectional quantitative study was conducted at Shiraz Central Prison in late 2024 with 44 newly admitted inmates selected through purposive sampling. Assessments included personality traits based on the Five Factor Model, family functioning derived from the McMaster model, and religiosity across belief, ritualistic, and consequential dimensions. Mental health was assessed through indicators of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and social dysfunction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and structural equation modeling to examine direct and indirect relationships among variables. Personality traits significantly influenced early psychological adjustment. Neuroticism showed a negative effect on mental health (β = −0.16), while conscientiousness had a positive effect (β = 0.19). Ritualistic and consequential religiosity were positively associated with mental health (β = 0.15). Religiosity also functioned as a mediating mechanism linking personality traits to mental health outcomes, suggesting that greater spiritual engagement may buffer psychological distress. The structural model showed acceptable fit indices. Personality traits, family context, and religiosity influence the mental health of newly admitted prisoners. Religiosity may serve as a psychological resource that supports coping and emotional regulation during early incarceration.
Keywords: Mental health, Prisoners, Personality traits, Family functioning, Religiosity, Structural equation modeling
Type of Study: Orginal Article |
Subject:
General
Received: 2026/06/12 | Accepted: 2026/06/25 | Published: 2026/08/15
Received: 2026/06/12 | Accepted: 2026/06/25 | Published: 2026/08/15
References
1. Fazel S, Seewald K. Severe mental illness in 33,588 prisoners worldwide: systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2012;200(5):364-73. [DOI:10.1192/bjp.bp.111.096370]
2. Swanson JW, Stenger M, Easter MM, Bareis N, Chwastiak L, Dixon LB, et al. Mental disorders and criminal legal involvement: Evidence from a national diagnostic epidemiological survey. PLOS Ment Health. 2025;2(4). [DOI:10.1371/journal.pmen.0000257]
3. Gómez-Figueroa H, Camino-Proaño A. Mental and behavioral disorders in the prison context. Rev Esp Sanid Penit. 2022;24(2):66-74. [DOI:10.18176/resp.00052]
4. Baranyi G SC, Fazel S. Mental disorders and criminal justice involvement: A systematic review and meta analysis. PLoS Med. 2022;19(4):e1003965.
5. Prins SJ. Prevalence of mental illnesses in US state prisons: A systematic review. Psychiatric services. 2014;65(7):862-72. [DOI:10.1176/appi.ps.201300166]
6. Kupers TA. The asylum, the prison, and the future of community mental health. Community Mental Health: Challenges for the 21st Century. 2017;86. [DOI:10.4324/9781315690346-5]
7. Schnittker J, John A. Enduring stigma: The long-term effects of incarceration on health. Journal of health and social behavior. 2007;48(2):115-30. [DOI:10.1177/002214650704800202]
8. Wolff N, Huening J, Shi J, Frueh BC. Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder among incarcerated men. J Urban Health. 2014;91(4):707-19. [DOI:10.1007/s11524-014-9871-x]
9. Haney C. The psychological impact of incarceration: Implications for post-prison adjustment. Urban Institute; 2001.
10. Johnson R TH. The pains of imprisonment revisited. Journal of Criminal Justice. 2000;28(4):329-36.
11. McCrae RR, Costa PT. Empirical and theoretical status of the five-factor model of personality traits. The SAGE handbook of personality theory and assessment. 2008;1:273-94. [DOI:10.4135/9781849200462.n13]
12. Lahey BB. Public health significance of neuroticism. American Psychologist. 2009;64(4):241. [DOI:10.1037/a0015309]
13. Ormel J, Jeronimus BF, Kotov R, Riese H, Bos EH, Hankin B, et al. Neuroticism and common mental disorders: Meaning and utility of a complex relationship. Clinical psychology review. 2013;33(5):686-97. [DOI:10.1016/j.cpr.2013.04.003]
14. Roberts BW JJ. Conscientiousness: A pathway to better health? . J Pers
15. 2008;76(6):1355-86.
16. Komarraju M, Karau SJ. The relationship between the big five personality traits and academic motivation. Personality and individual differences. 2005;39(3):557-67. [DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2005.02.013]
17. Epstein NB, Bishop DS, Levin S. The McMaster model of family functioning. Journal of Marital and Family therapy. 1978;4(4):19-31. [DOI:10.1111/j.1752-0606.1978.tb00537.x]
18. Cernkovich SA, Giordano PC. Family relationships and delinquency. Criminology. 1987;25(2):295-319. [DOI:10.1111/j.1745-9125.1987.tb00799.x]
19. Patterson GR. Coercive family process. (No Title). 1982.
20. BP A. The role of family support in psychological resilience. Am Psychol. 1997;52(1):48-58.
21. Haverkate M SG, van der Pol T. Family ties and psychological well being of prisoners: A meta analytic review. J Crim Justice. 2020;68:101688.
22. Cochran JC. The ties that bind or the ties that break: Examining the relationship between visitation and prisoner misconduct. Journal of Criminal Justice. 2012;40(5):433-40. [DOI:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2012.06.001]
23. Koenig HG. Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. International Scholarly Research Notices. 2012;2012(1):278730. [DOI:10.5402/2012/278730]
24. Pargament KI. The psychology of religion and coping New York: Guilford. 1997. [DOI:10.1016/B978-012417645-4/50011-0]
25. Ano GG, Vasconcelles EB. Religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress: A meta‐analysis. Journal of clinical psychology. 2005;61(4):461-80. [DOI:10.1002/jclp.20049]
26. Smith TB, McCullough ME, Poll J. Religiousness and depression: evidence for a main effect and the moderating influence of stressful life events. Psychological bulletin. 2003;129(4):614. [DOI:10.1037/0033-2909.129.4.614]
27. Miller L WP, Weissman M. Religiosity and anxiety disorders: A review. J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(2):245-50. [DOI:10.1016/S0887-6185(12)00117-X]
28. AM AK. Religiosity and psychological well being in a Kuwaiti sample. Mental Health Relig Cult. 2010;13(2):129-40.
29. Clear TR, Sumter MT. Prisoners, prison, and religion: Religion and adjustment to prison. Religion, the community, and the rehabilitation of criminal offenders: Routledge; 2013. p. 127-58.
30. Schnittker J, Massoglia M, Uggen C. Out and down: Incarceration and psychiatric disorders. Journal of health and social behavior. 2012;53(4):448-64. [DOI:10.1177/0022146512453928]
31. Wright KA BD. Correctional adjustment and personality traits: A developmental perspective. Crim Justice Behav. 2009;36(5):489-506.
32. Taghavi SMR. The normalization of general health questionnaire for Shiraz University students (GHQ-28). Clinical Psychology and Personality. 2008;6(1):1-12.
33. Anisi J. Validity and reliability of NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) on university students. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2012;5(4):351-5.
34. Miller IW, Epstein NB, Bishop DS, Keitner GI. The McMaster family assessment device: reliability and validity. Journal of marital and family therapy. 1985;11(4):345-56. [DOI:10.1111/j.1752-0606.1985.tb00028.x]
35. Zadehmohammadi ALI, Malek KGH. The preliminary study of psychometric and reliability of Family Assessment Device. 2006.
36. Khodayarifard M, Ghobari-Bonab B, Shokoohi-Yekta M, Faghihi AN, Beh-Pajooh A, Afrooz G-A, et al. Developing a religiosity scale for Iranian college student. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2013;82:432-5. [DOI:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.288]
37. Khodayarifard M, Rahiminezhad A, Ghobaribonab B, Shokoohi Yekta M. Religiosity measuring model and reparation of religiosity scale to Iranian population. Journal of Applied Psychological Research. 2010;1(1):1-24.
38. Dadashi Haji M, Karaminia R, Salimi SH, Ahmadi Tahour M. Translation and validation of the "Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire" for Iranian families. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences. 2018;12(2):48-52.
39. Anglim J, Horwood S. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and big five personality on subjective and psychological well-being. Social Psychological and Personality Science. 2021;12(8):1527-37. [DOI:10.1177/1948550620983047]
40. Oshio A, et al. Big Five personality traits and resilience in stressful situations. Frontiers in Psychology. 2012.
41. Turner P, Ireland JL. Do personality characteristics and beliefs predict intra‐group bullying between prisoners? Aggressive Behavior. 2010;36(4):261-70. [DOI:10.1002/ab.20346]
42. Auty KM, Liebling A. Exploring the relationship between prison social climate and reoffending. Justice quarterly. 2020;37(2):358-81. [DOI:10.1080/07418825.2018.1538421]
43. Nurse J, Woodcock P, Ormsby J. Influence of environmental factors on mental health within prisons: focus group study. Bmj. 2003;327(7413):480. [DOI:10.1136/bmj.327.7413.480]
44. Taylor SE. Social support and health: A review. Annual Review of Psychology. 2020.
45. Wallace S, et al Family contact and prisoner mental health. Journal of Criminal Justice. 2022.
46. Chassay L, Kremer KP. Association between social support and mental health of incarcerated individuals. Journal of Correctional Health Care. 2022;28(1):47-53. [DOI:10.1089/jchc.20.01.0003]
47. Way BB, Sawyer DA, Lilly SN, Moffitt C, Stapholz BJ. Characteristics of inmates who received a diagnosis of serious mental illness upon entry to New York State prison. Psychiatric Services. 2008;59(11):1335-7. [DOI:10.1176/ps.2008.59.11.1335]
48. Koenig HG. Religion, spirituality, and health: the research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry. 2012;2012:278730. [DOI:10.5402/2012/278730]
49. Paloutzian RF, Park CL. The psychology of religion and spirituality: How big the tent? Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 2021;13(1):3. [DOI:10.1037/rel0000218]
50. Eytan A. Religion and mental health during incarceration: A systematic literature review. Psychiatric quarterly. 2011;82(4):287-95. [DOI:10.1007/s11126-011-9170-6]
51. Pargament KI. Religious coping and psychological adjustment. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 2021.
52. Ai AL. Religious coping, hope, and mental health outcomes. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2022.
53. Allen RS, Harris GM, Crowther MR, Oliver JS, Cavanaugh R, Phillips LL. Does religiousness and spirituality moderate the relations between physical and mental health among aging prisoners? International journal of geriatric psychiatry. 2013;28(7):710-7. [DOI:10.1002/gps.3874]
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
