Disentangling associations between military service, race, and incarceration in the U.S. population

The current study examined (a) how veteran status, race, and other individual characteristics are associated with any lifetime incarceration in the U.S. adult population; and (b) differences between veterans and other adults with any incarceration histories on sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial characteristics. Data from structured interviews conducted in 2012-2013 on a nationally representative sample of 36,121 U.S. adults were analyzed. Results showed that male gender, U.S. born, history of homelessness, antisocial and borderline personality disorders, and various substance use disorders were independently associated with any lifetime incarceration (all adjusted odds ratios [AORs] ≥ 1.5). Veteran status was not significantly associated with any lifetime incarceration (AOR = 1.12). Among adults with any lifetime incarceration, veterans were more likely to be male than nonveterans (AOR = 5.90), but were otherwise similar in sociodemographic background, physical and mental health, and psychosocial characteristics. Being black was moderately associated with lifetime incarceration among both veterans and nonveterans (AOR = 1.54 and 1.50, respectively) with no significant veteran × race interaction. Collectively, these findings suggest veterans and nonveterans are similarly represented among Americans with any lifetime incarceration and share similar factors associated with incarceration. Although prevalence of incarceration did vary by race, psychosocial and substance abuse factors emerged as the major factors associated with incarceration, highlighting the importance of behavioral health and social services for at-risk adults across military and civilian settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).