Cumulative lifetime trauma exposures in a nationally representative prison sample: findings from the mental health and substance use disorders prevalence survey.

BACKGROUND

Trauma exposure is a driver of poor health, mental health, social and economic outcomes with a dose-response relationship between number of types of exposures and worse outcomes. This study explores the trauma exposure histories of individuals in prison, a population with elevated rates of chronic medical and mental health conditions.

METHODS

Using data from the Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Study (MDPS), we calculated weighted estimates of the lifetime prevalence of six types of trauma exposures as well as risk for experiencing multiple or cumulative trauma exposures for a nationally representative prison sample. We compare these estimates to estimates for those in the community while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

The nationally representative prison sample was 93% male and 60% people of color (29% Black, 31% Hispanic). The prison sample had three times the odds of the community sample of experiencing any type of trauma exposure, holding demographic characteristics constant. Moreover, the prison sample had twice the odds of experiencing multiple exposures.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple, cumulative lifetime trauma exposures are characteristic of the trauma histories of people in prison in the U.S. Systems serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations should look to the abundance of research knowledge about trauma intervention approaches that support physical and mental health and can be adapted to correctional systems.