Coping with imprisonment: a comprehensive study of coping mechanisms in prison environments

Pavićević, Olivera and Ilijić, Ljeposava and Međedović, Janko (2025) Coping with imprisonment: a comprehensive study of coping mechanisms in prison environments. Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research, Belgrade. ISBN 978-86-80756-84-4

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Abstract

The life of convicts in prison is a highly complex subject studied by many scientific disciplines, each helping to better understand the intricate dynamics, processes, and outcomes of prison life with the goal of improving it. In the study 'Coping with imprisonment: comprehensive study of coping mechanisms in prison environments,' the main focus is on how convicted individuals manage stress within prison, including the analysis of interactions with various internal and external factors—such as psychological traits, criminal behaviour, disciplinary actions, and the risk of reoffending. Particular attention is given to various coping models, styles, and strategies, as well as the impact of social support, visitation opportunities, and the characteristics of prison units on shaping and applying these strategies. The introductory part of the study examines the concepts of stress and methods to overcome it, including the situations, relationships, and effects connected with stress. The authors illustrate the development of various theories about coping mechanisms and emphasise the importance of differentiating them from related psychological concepts, such as defence mechanisms, and clarifying the differences between coping models, strategies, and styles. Prison life involves specific levels of stress, making stress management an essential process, and the study and application of positive coping models vital for prisoners' adaptation. The primary focus is on a detailed analysis of coping strategies in Serbian prison settings. The research includes five main analyses: first, examining the latent and network structure of the Brief-COPE inventory within prisons; second, exploring coping by its relation to social support and environmental factors, such as the prison's distance from the individual's residence; third, predicting coping strategies based on previous criminal behaviour; fourth, analysing coping mechanisms as predictors of psychological traits vital for adaptation in prison, including aggressiveness, depression, self-confidence, and quality of life; and fifth, evaluating the predictive power of coping strategies regarding institutional offences and the risk of future criminal behaviour. Overall, these analyses illuminate how coping strategies influence inmates' behaviour and psychological adjustment. Data were collected from five penitentiary institutions in Serbia: Sremska Mitrovica, Niš, Požarevac, Zabela, and Beograd. Participants volunteered, with functional literacy as the only inclusion criterion. The research findings are presented in a dedicated section, and the discussion compares these results with data from existing studies. The analysis of the Brief COPE questionnaire did not confirm the expected structure of three primary coping styles but instead identified three new components: Hybrid coping (a mix of adaptive and maladaptive strategies), Social support (help-seeking and religion), and Maladaptive coping (avoidance, denial, substance use). All components are positively correlated, suggesting that individuals using multiple strategies tend to employ various coping methods more frequently. Network analysis showed that planning and active coping are the most central and influential strategies; strengthening these could promote more adaptive responses to stress within the prison setting. Key findings include: Maladaptive coping (avoidance, denial, substance use) is associated with higher levels of depression and aggression, lower self-esteem, and poorer quality of life in prison; social support coping (seeking help and reliance on others) predicts better quality of life and less psychological disturbance, although it is indirectly linked to depression in some analyses; Hybrid coping has an ambiguous nature but generally tends towards maladaptive behaviours and increased aggression; self-esteem is higher among prisoners in semi-open units and those with support from friends and more frequent visits, but lower among early and chronic offenders. Aggression correlates with a history of delinquency, disciplinary issues, and risk assessments, and is negatively associated with peer support and visits. Depression, aggression, low self-esteem, and reduced quality of life collectively characterise maladjustment in prison. Additionally, the findings highlight that social support from three sources—family and friends, prison staff, and clergy and peers—is essential for adapting to prison life. More frequent visits and shorter distances from home are associated with increased support and reduced reliance on maladaptive coping strategies. Higher education levels decrease the likelihood of employing social support as a coping strategy. Support from staff, more frequent visits, higher educational attainment, and gender appear to be negative predictors of maladaptive coping—prisoners with stronger support networks and better integration are less prone to resorting to avoidance, denial, or aggression. Early and persistent offending predicts the use of maladaptive and hybrid strategies, whereas seeking social support is not linked to chronic offenders. Male and older prisoners are less likely to use hybrid strategies, and higher levels of education enhance support-seeking behaviours while reducing maladaptive coping. The type of offence and sentence length have minimal influence, whereas personal and developmental factors are more significant. Maladaptive strategies are associated with higher offending levels and increased risk of reoffending, while adaptive strategies, particularly those that are socially supportive, offer a protective effect. Institutional factors such as the type of prison unit, proximity to residence, and resource availability affect coping strategies, and social support, education, and positive relationships with staff help lower stress and reoffending risk. The study emphasises the importance of interventions that reduce maladaptive coping and promote socially supportive strategies to enhance adaptation and reduce recidivism.

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