The Effectiveness of Gender-Specific Treatments for Incarcerated Males and Females with Mental Health Disorders

Item

Media
BahnafshaSherzai_PP_2024.pdf
Title
The Effectiveness of Gender-Specific Treatments for Incarcerated Males and Females with Mental Health Disorders
Creator
Bahnafsha Sherzai
Degree Name
professional_project
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
Project Type
professional_project
Date
6/15/2024
Abstract
Gender-specific treatment is a type of treatment that is created or modified in response to a person’s gender, which, when used correctly, can have a positive impact on recidivism rates and reintegration into society for inmates in the criminal justice system. Research has shown that males and females are different in terms of how they experience mental health disorders (Stiawa, 2020) and that females are more agreeable to mental health treatment compared to males (Drapalski et al., 2009; Grella et al., 2009). The purpose of the current study was to examine gender-specific treatment programs for males and females and their effectiveness. A comparative analysis was conducted to show the different treatment programs, their outcomes if they were gender-specific, and the effectiveness of treatment. Ten programs were evaluated, and findings showed that three programs were more effective for female inmates in reducing mental health symptoms and recidivism rates, two programs were more effective for male inmates in reducing drug use, crime rates, and increased mental health stability and one program was equally effective for both males and females by reducing recidivism rates. The other four programs evaluated did not specify a gender-specific approach in their treatment; however, three out of the four programs were effective in reducing mental health symptoms, hospitalization, and community adjustment. These findings are significant because they show how gender-specific treatment should be accessible for both male and female inmates, as they deserve adequate treatment for their mental health disorders. However, more programs should take gender into consideration as the results showed that only six out of the ten programs recognized gender in their treatment.
Rights
https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 6/29/2024, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
Language
English
Type
Text