Predictors of incarcerated women's postrelease PTSD, depression, and substance-use problems

This longitudinal project assessed predictors of women's mental health postrelease from prison. Women (59) completed mental health and trauma exposure assessments while incarcerated and then postrelease. Women's mental health did not change postrelease. Lifetime exposure to interpersonal violence and maladaptive coping were significantly associated with increased postrelease PTSD. In addition, adaptive and maladaptive coping were significantly associated with postrelease depression. Ethnicity, prior substance dependence, postrelease PTSD and depression, interpersonal violence since release, and coping were all significantly associated with postrelease substance use and problems. The findings of this study contribute to identification of potential points of intervention for women postrelease.