Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Criminology

Major Professor

Jessica Grosholz, Ph.D.

Committee Member

John Cohran, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Lindsay Peterson, Ph.D.

Keywords

Coping Mechanism, Older Adult, Reentry, Social Support, Strain

Abstract

The current study investigated the coping mechanisms employed by older formerly incarcerated individuals during reentry. While there is research on the reentry experiences of older formerly incarcerated individuals, less is known about how they cope with the strains of reentry. As such, this study fills this gap in the literature by exploring both adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms employed by this population during reentry. Using in-depth interviews with 20 older, formerly incarcerated individuals, I found that older formerly incarcerated persons experienced challenges related to securing stable housing, finding employment and economic security, community supervision, stigma and judgment, and overall reintegration. To cope with these challenges, the data revealed that older formerly incarcerated individuals turned to both positive coping mechanisms (e.g., social support, employment, religion, etc.) and negative coping mechanisms (e.g., avoidance and withdrawal). The results of the current study have the potential to guide policy makers, corrections leaders, and communities to invest in activities that promote positive coping mechanisms, ensuring that older incarcerated individuals maintain connections with family and friends. Furthermore, the results of this study can guide correctional leaders to ensure that older incarcerated persons know about the programs that are available to them while they are still incarcerated and post-release to aid in their reentry experience.

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