Effects of Social Support on the Mental Health of Incarcerated Individuals

Authors : Zübeyit Gün

Pages : 333-346

Doi:10.18863/pgy.1505020

View : 185 | Download : 190

Publication Date : 2025-06-30

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :The conceptualization and measurement of social support are challenging mostly due to the scope and multi-dimensionality of the construct. Despite this hardship, it is deemed an important field of research in response to its positive psychological outcomes and success in the prevention and alleviation of the negative impact of challenging life conditions. As harborers of such conditions, prisons add to the need for social support while limiting social support by their very definition. Balancing this conundrum, or at least reducing the impact of the negative conditions of prisons, is of utmost importance to protect, improve, and maintain the mental health of incarcerated individuals who are already at a disadvantage in terms of their mental health. Efforts in pursuit of such a goal may contribute to the mitigation of the negative effects of criminal behaviors on both the individual and society. Thus, this paper reviews research on the relationship between social support and the mental health of incarcerated individuals to further the current discourse and contribute to future research and interventions. To achieve this, different views on the definition and conceptualization of social support were analyzed to light the way for the approaches that might be adopted in future research, followed by the gathering of research on the relationship between mental health and social support. Then, the manifestation of this relationship in traumatic experiences was discussed followed by digging deeper into its implication in incarceration. Finally, suggestions were offered to obtain positive outcomes both for individuals and for society.
Keywords : sosyal destek, hükümlülük, cezaevi, ruh sağlığı