Effects of interventions on depression and anxiety in older people with physical health problems in the criminal justice system: a systematic review

Amanda E. Perry*, David Marshall, Thirimon Moe-Byrne, Sarah Knowles, Rachel Churchill, Melissa Harden, Steve Parrott, John Schofield, Kevin Williamson, Lisa Ashton

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The demand for health care in older people involved in the criminal justice system is high. The prevalence of mental and physical health conditions for people living in prison is greater than in community populations. After systematically searching 21 databases, we found no targeted interventions to support depression or anxiety for this group of people. 24 studies (including interventions of yoga, creative-arts-based programmes, positive psychology, or mindfulness-based interventions and psychotherapy) did contain people older than 50 years, but this only represented a minority (10%) of the overall study population. No single study reported outcomes of physical health. Future interventions need to consider the needs and views of this vulnerable group. Specific gendered and coproduced interventions are required to enhance the implementation, feasibility, and acceptability of interventions that are delivered in prisons.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e431-e440
Number of pages10
JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity
Volume4
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Aug 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study is funded by the UK National Institute of Health Research's Research for Patient Benefit Fund (NIHR203484). We acknowledge the support on behalf of all members of the Physical and Mental Health of Older Prisoners Study Advisory group who provide advice and have oversight of the study management.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license

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