Discontinuity and prison sickness: sport participation barriers and mental well-being effects among women in prison.

PURPOSE: This qualitative interview study aims to examine the potential barriers and mental well-being effects of prison sports among women in a German prison. It places particular emphasis on prison-specific participation barriers and mental stress factors for females.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Guided expert interviews were conducted with women in prison (n = 7). The interviews were fully transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS: This study highlights a number of participation barriers, both institutional and related to the women's intrinsic motivation, which are mutually dependent. Nevertheless, sports have the potential of enhancing the mental well-being of women in prison, who often experience higher rates of mental health disorders and more severe social challenges than their male counterparts. By addressing the need for physical activity and fostering psychological resilience, sports can promote enjoyment, enrich social bonds and contribute to personal contentment.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Supervision and support from prison administration will be key to overcoming identified barriers and ensuring the success of such programs. It is essential to maintain efforts to enhance participation, particularly in light of potentially low initial participation rates. Systematically integrating sports programs into the women's daily routines is crucial for achieving long-term positive effects on mental well-being.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study reveals the necessity of addressing the mutual dependence of institutional and intrinsic participation barriers to facilitate a systematic integration of sports into everyday prison life. Given this, sports can be an effective medium to improve the mental well-being of the particularly vulnerable female prison population.