| Abstract |
Research on inmates’ decision-making, health, temperament, and psychopathology highlights the importance of mental health and rehabilitation in prisons. The study focuses on the high prevalence of mental disorders, examining personality and decision-making, particularly in those with substance abuse and domestic violence histories. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions in correctional settings. This study assessed decision-making under ambiguity and risk in 51 male inmates from the Provincial Prison of Granada, including those with histories of drug abuse, domestic violence, or neither. Decision-making was evaluated using the Iowa Gambling Task, while mental and physical health were measured with the SF-36, personality with the TCI-R, and psychopathology with the MCMI-IV. No significant differences in decision-making were found across prisoner groups. However, those with substance abuse and domestic violence histories exhibited consistently poor decision-making. The domestic violence group scored significantly lower in Block 5 compared to those without such histories. This group also showed greater physical limitations, emotional dependency, and compulsive behaviors. The substance abuse group exhibited higher novelty seeking, antisocial behavior, aggression, borderline personality disorder symptoms, alcohol abuse, and depression. The study underscores the impact of substance abuse and domestic violence on decision-making, psychological traits, and physical health among incarcerated men. It highlights the need for tailored interventions to address specific cognitive and behavioral issues, which could enhance rehabilitation outcomes and reduce recidivism. © Author(s) 2024. |
