PTSD Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Custody in Australia: Prevalence and Correlates

Abstract

Mental disorder and trauma experiences are highly prevalent among individuals in custody; however, the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on functioning is rarely considered. Indigenous Australians are incarcerated at 13 times the rate of nonindigenous Australians and report high levels of trauma exposure and psychological distress. In analysis of the largest systematic study of mental disorder among indigenous Australians in custody (N = 396), we found that the 12-month prevalence of PTSD was high in both men (12.1%) and women (32.3%). Having PTSD was also associated with high rates of co-occurring mental disorders (anxiety 31.2%, depression 32.8%, psychosis 24.6%, and substance..