Perceived social support, resilience and consumption of psychoactive substances amongst inmates in prisons

OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of perceived social support and resilience in the use of alcohol and other drugs amongst female inmates. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study with 174 inmates was conducted in two prisons in the Region of Murcia. A self-administered questionnaire was used, which included socio-demographic, prison, alcohol and other drug consumption, perceived social support and resilience variables. RESULTS: 28.2% of the inmates consumed at least one of the substances analyzed (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin and/or tranquillizers without medical prescription) in prison. The female consumers showed significantly lower levels of perceived social support and resilience, compared to the counterparts who did not consume in prison. DISCUSSION: Findings show how perceived social support and resilience are factors of protection against substance use in prison, and these can be incorporated in future prevention programs for the consumption of alcohol and other drugs during imprisonment.