Citation

Schaefer KE, Esposito-Smythers C, Tangney JP. J. Forensic Psychiatry Psychol. 2016; 27(5): 698-704.

Affiliation

George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax VA 22030, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/14789949.2016.1193886

PMID

27660559

PMCID

PMC5028132

Abstract

Suicidal behavior is a significant problem in United States jails. Suicidal ideation (SI) is an established precursor to suicidal behavior in incarcerated populations. No studies to date have examined the prevalence of SI or its correlates in a mixed gender U.S. jail sample. The purpose of the present study was to document rates of SI in a mixed gender jail sample and examine socio-demographic and psychiatric correlates. This study of 511 jail inmates found that approximately 16% of participants reported clinically significant SI upon incarceration. White participants, suicide attempters, and those with a psychiatric diagnosis history endorsed greater SI. Reported SI did not differ by sex and was not correlated with age. Clinically, results indicate that screening for SI in jail samples is necessary to identify high-risk individuals for intervention to prevent suicidal behavior.

Language: en