Psychiatric disorders among older prisoners: a systematic review and comparison study against older people in the community

Authors:
DI LORITO Claudio, VOLLM Birgit, DENING Tom
Journal article citation:
Aging and Mental Health, 22(1), 2018, pp.1-10.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

Objectives: Despite emerging evidence that older prisoners experience poor mental health, literature in this area is still limited. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors report on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among older prisoners and compare their findings against community studies on older people. Methods: The authors searched on Assia, PsycInfo, MedLine, Embase, Web of Science, Google and Gov.uk. They carried out bias assessments, rated studies for quality and ran a heterogeneity test. They meta-analysed prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders through an aggregate weighted mean and calculated relative risk (RR) and statistical significance against community studies. Sensitivity analyses were further performed. Results: They reviewed nine studies and obtained the following prevalence: ‘Any psychiatric disorder’ 38.4%, depression 28.3%, schizophrenia/psychoses 5.5%, bipolar disorder 4.5%, dementia 3.3%, cognitive impairment 11.8%, personality disorder 22.9%, alcohol abuse 15.9%, anxiety disorders 14.2%, PTSD 6.2%. Older prisoners were found to have higher RR for every single psychiatric disorder against older people in the community, with the sole exception of alcohol abuse and dementia. The prevalence rates were statistically significantly higher among the prisoners for ‘Any psychiatric disorder’, depression and personality disorder. Overall, the sensitivity analyses confirmed the authors' original results. Conclusion: The findings point at a high prevalence of every single psychiatric disorder among older prisoners, who also experience rates of dementia and alcohol abuse comparable to those reported in the community. The results have relevant implications for policy and practice in this area. Further research is crucial to confirm findings from this study. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
older people, prisoners, communities, systematic reviews, comparative studies, mental health problems, dementia, alcohol misuse;
Content type:
systematic review
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1364-6915
ISSN print:
1360-7863

Key to icons

  • Free resource Free resource
  • Journal article Journal article
  • Book Book
  • Digital media Digital media
  • Journal Journal

Give us your feedback

Social Care Online continues to be developed in response to user feedback.

Contact us with your comments and for any problems using the website.

Sign up/login for more

Register/login to access resource links, advanced search and email alerts