Aging With Incarceration Histories: An Intersectional Examination of Incarceration and Health Outcomes Among Older Adults

Abstract Objectives Experiences with incarceration are linked to poor mental and physical health across the life course. The purpose of this research is to examine whether incarceration histories are associated with worse physical and mental health among older adults. We apply an intersectionality f...

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Published in:The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences Psychological sciences and social sciences, 2023-05, Vol.78 (5), p.853-865
Main Authors: Latham-Mintus, Kenzie, Deck, Monica M, Nelson, Elizabeth
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aging
Female
Humans
Intersectional Framework
Male
Mental Health
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Prisoners
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Summary:Abstract Objectives Experiences with incarceration are linked to poor mental and physical health across the life course. The purpose of this research is to examine whether incarceration histories are associated with worse physical and mental health among older adults. We apply an intersectionality framework and consider how the intersection of sexism and racism leads to unequal health outcomes following incarceration among women and people of color. Methods We employ 2 measures of health (i.e., number of depressive symptoms and physical limitations) to broadly capture mental and physical health. Using data from Waves 11 and 12 of the Health and Retirement Study, we estimated a series of general linear models to analyze differences in health by incarceration history, gender/sex, and race/ethnicity. Results Findings suggest that experiences with incarceration are associated with a greater number of physical limitations and more depressive symptoms among older men and women, net of sociodemographic characteristics, early-life conditions, and lifetime stressful events. Formerly incarcerated women, particularly women of color, had more physical limitations and depressive symptoms relative to other groups. Discussion These findings suggest that incarceration histories have far-reaching health implications. Older women of color with incarceration histories experience markedly high levels of physical limitations and depressive symptoms in later life.
ISSN:1079-5014
1758-5368
DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbac088