Influence of gender discrimination on the mental health of females inmates: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to analyze the different types of gender discrimination faced by female inmates and their impact on their psychological well-being.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The search was carried out on the PubMed and Scopus databases using keywords related to gender discrimination, mental health, and the prison context. Filters were applied for language (Spanish and English), publication period (2015-2025), and study type (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods).

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies were selected (1 longitudinal, 9 cross-sectional, and 3 mixed methods), conducted across diverse geographical and social contexts. The evidence shows that incarcerated women face institutional violence, stigmatization, and structural barriers that limit their access to basic services and rehabilitation programs. These conditions exacerbate disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, which are further intensified by histories of gender-based violence and racial discrimination. In addition, family separation and challenges in social reintegration stemming from a lack of education and employment opportunities perpetuate a cycle of exclusion and marginalization. Despite some interventions aimed at reducing these inequalities, the findings indicate that they remain insufficient to address the specific needs of incarcerated women.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an urgent need to reform prison policies, adopting more inclusive and intersectional approaches that ensure equitable access to psychological care, rehabilitation programs, and effective reintegration strategies. Only by doing so can the cycle of discrimination and vulnerability affecting this population be broken.