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Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: A
Arts & Humanities - Psychology
Volume 15 Issue 9 Version 1.0 Year 2015
Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal
Publisher: Global Journals Inc. (USA)
Online ISSN: 2249-460x & Print ISSN: 0975-587X
A Study of Mental Health Problems in Criminals in Terms of
Depression, Anxiety and Stress
By Neelu Sharma, Om Prakash, Dr. K. S. Sengar & Dr. A. R. Singh
Allied Sciences/Ranchi University, India
Abstract- Offenders resides in prison faces many problems. Isolation from the families, overcrowding in
prison, guilt, and stigmatization are main causes of deterioration in mental health of prisoners. Present
study intends to assess mental health problem in two groups of convicted criminals: murderers and
rapists in terms of depression anxiety and stress. Based on purposive sampling technique, 72 convicted
criminals were selected from Birsa Munda Central Jail Hotwar, Ranchi, India. Both the groups of criminals
were matched on various socio-demographic parameters such as: gender, age, education, religion,
marital status, residence and occupation. All participants were assessed on Depression Anxiety and
Stress Scale (DASS). Obtained responses were scored by using standard scoring procedures and
subsequently statistically analyzed by using Chi-square test. In present study rapists group have shown
significant difference on scale of depression in comparison to murderer’s group. Whereas there were no
significant differences found between both the groups on level of anxiety and stress. Mental health
problems were found prevalent in both the groups but more prominent in rapist’s group. Rapists group
have shown more symptoms and severity of depression, anxiety and stress than the murderers group in
present study.
Keywords: mental health problems, criminal, depression, anxiety, stressi.
GJHSS-A Classification : FOR Code: 730211
AStudyofMentalHealthProblemsinCriminalsinTermsofDepressionAnxietyandStress
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