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Procedural justice and prisoners' mental health problems: A longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Beijersbergen Karin A.,
Dirkzwager Anja J. E.,
Eichelsheim Veroni I.,
Laan Peter H.,
Nieuwbeerta Paul
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
criminal behaviour and mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1471-2857
pISSN - 0957-9664
DOI - 10.1002/cbm.1881
Subject(s) - prison , mental health , psychology , procedural justice , coping (psychology) , longitudinal study , clinical psychology , perception , psychiatry , medicine , criminology , pathology , neuroscience
Background Given the high prevalence of mental health problems among prisoners, knowledge on its determinants is important. Prior cross‐sectional studies suggest that procedurally just treatment within prison is a significant predictor; however, longitudinal research is lacking. Aim The aims of this study were to examine (1) the longitudinal relationship between prisoners' perceptions of procedural justice – including fairness, respect, humanity and relationships with officers – and their mental health and (2) the moderating role of coping style in this relationship. Methods Data were obtained from the Prison Project, a longitudinal study of adult male prisoners in the Netherlands, interviewed both 3 weeks and 3 months after their reception into pre‐trial detention (N = 824). A cross‐lagged structural equation model was employed to investigate associations. Results Prisoners who reported experiencing a higher level of procedural justice 3 weeks after their arrival in custody reported fewer mental health problems after 3 months. No evidence was found that coping style moderated this relationship. Conclusions These findings suggest a causal relationship between procedural justice and psychological well‐being. Fair and respectful treatment of prisoners is a predictor not only of prison order and prisoners' compliance but also of prisoners' psychological well‐being. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.