The psychological impact of imprisonment: post-incarceration syndrome and posttraumatic growth

Description

Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

This thesis comprised two chapters each exploring the potential psychological impact of imprisonment. The first chapter is a systematic review focused on the experience of posttraumatic growth (PTG) following imprisonment, and what factors serve as facilitators or barriers to this growth. It was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews.

The second chapter aimed to further the work on the proposed existence of Post-Incarceration Syndrome (PICS) (Liem & Kunst, 2013); a unique set of psychological difficulties thought to arise as a result of long-term imprisonment. It aimed to explore whether those who had served sentences UK prisons felt PICS reflected their experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight men who had served on average eighteen years in prison. Reflexive Thematic Analysis was employed.

Key findings, suggestions for future research and clinical implications are discussed in both chapters.

Period	Dec 2023
Degree of Recognition	International