Langenhoven_&_Jordaan_Minimal_Data_set_2023_12_18.sav

Correctional centres tend to negatively impact the mental health of incarcerated offenders, especially when offenders are unable to cope with or adjust to the correctional environment. Internationally, studies have shown a significantly higher prevalence of mental health disorders such as depression among incarcerated offenders compared to the general population. Mental health disorders increase the likelihood of institutional misconduct, suicidal ideation and recidivism among offenders. This study aimed to determine the individual and collective contributions of coping, adjustment, perceived social support, and age as possible predictors of depressed mood amongst adult male maximum-security incarcerated offenders. The study included 418 South African male incarcerated offenders, sampled using convenience sampling. The study investigated the relationship between the predictor and outcome variables using a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational design. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that internal adjustment and physical adjustment were the only individual predictor variables that statistically and practically predicted depressed mood. This study’s findings could aid in understanding the role of adjustment in developing and maintaining depressive mood states in the correctional environment.