Co-occurring mental disorders among incarcerated women: Preliminary findings from an integrated health treatment study

There is a growing awareness of the incidence of mental disorders among women involved in the criminal justice system. Two hundred and eighty-three women were participants in a federally-funded study and all met DSM-IV criteria for at least two Axis I disorders, including one substance abuse diagnosis. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (chronic) was the primary mental health diagnosis for 75% of the sample. Based on findings, the need for rigorous and accurate diagnostic evaluation for women in criminal justice settings is discussed; specific recommendations include: providing evidence-based, integrated, trauma-informed treatment, and designing comprehensive gender-specific programs to improve outcomes for incarcerated women.