Health problems and adversities experienced by incarcerated mothers: Use of a life events calendar

BackgroundIncarcerated mothers frequently experience multiple adversities that negatively affect their mental and physical health, yet the timing and nature of these relationships remain underexplored.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the timing, type and extent of health problems and adversities experienced by incarcerated mothers in Australia in the five years preceding their current incarceration.DesignA cross-sectional study with retrospective life history data using a Life Events Calendar.MethodsData were drawn from 120 mothers in prison who participated in a larger project on maternal incarceration and child wellbeing. Health problems and adversities occurring in the last five years before incarceration were summarised using descriptive statistics. Bivariate analyses were conducted to assess associations between specific adversities and any, physical, or mental health problems. The number of adversities experienced in each year were compared between mothers with and without health problems.ResultsOf the 119 mothers included in the analysis, 47.9% reported physical health problems, 83.2% reported mental health problems and 42.9% reported both in the last five years. The most common adversities were problematic drug use and victimisation, each reported by 84.0% of mothers. Problematic drug use was strongly associated with all categories of health problems, while death of loved ones was associated with physical health problems. Mothers with physical health problems experienced more adversities in the one to three years before incarceration, while those with mental health problems had greater adversity exposure three to five years prior.ConclusionIncarcerated mothers experience high levels of adversity and health problems, with mental health problems linked to earlier adversity and physical health problems linked to recent adversity. The findings underscore the need for early, holistic, and trauma-informed interventions, particularly those addressing substance use and victimisation, to improve health outcomes and intergenerational harm.