Thesis title: Behind Bars: Gendered Pathways, Trauma and Psychological Functioning in Incarcerated Women and Fathers
The present dissertation focuses on the theoretical and empirical framework of gendered pathways to prison. In recent decades, the number of incarcerated women has increased worldwide, surpassing the rate of growth observed among male prison populations. Despite this rise, the experiences of women in prison remain comparatively underrepresented in both empirical research and theoretical discussions. This dissertation aims to shed new light on the psychological functioning of incarcerated women, focusing on the interplay between trauma, dissociation, mentalized affectivity, and epistemic trust, dimensions that have received limited empirical attention in this population. While the primary focus of this work is on incarcerated women, attention is also given to fathers in prison, whose experiences are similarly neglected, not as offenders or men, but specifically as caregivers.
Three empirical studies will be discussed.
Study 1 compares a group of incarcerated women with a non-clinical control group of non-incarcerated women. The study examines multiple dimensions of psychological functioning, including developmental trauma, mentalized affectivity, epistemic trust, dissociative experiences, psychopathological symptoms, and perceived social support, with the aim of identifying both risk and protective factors. Consistent with prior research, it is hypothesized that incarcerated women will report higher trauma exposure, greater psychopathological symptoms and dissociation, and lower levels of epistemic trust, mentalized affectivity. Perceived social support will be tested as a moderator in the relation between exposure to trauma and incarceration.
Study 2 focuses on incarcerated women engaged in psychodynamic psychotherapy, comparing those in treatment for at least six months with those not currently receiving therapy. This study investigates whether participation in psychotherapy is associated with differences in psychological adjustment, specifically reduced psychopathological symptoms, improved mentalized affectivity and increased epistemic trust. It is also hypothesized that women in therapy may present more complex trauma histories, consistent with evidence suggesting that individuals with greater trauma exposure are more likely to seek treatment.
Study 3 extends the investigation to incarcerated fathers, exploring paternal reflective functioning, mentalized affectivity, parenting stress in jail, and adult attachment patterns. This study merges quantitative and qualitative approaches, combining assessment with psychoeducational interventions, such as the Circle of Security approach, designed to foster reflective awareness of the paternal role, strengthen caregiving capacities, and promote secure attachment representations.
The findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed, relationally oriented interventions in correctional settings and call for gender-sensitive approaches to prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.