Comparison of Stressors Among Female vs. Male Inmates

This article examines Rose Giallombardo's (1966, p. 13) claim that unless "evidence to the contrary is found, we have no a priori reason to suppose that the pains of imprisonment will be felt less keenly by female prisoners than by males." The research reported in this study suggests that female inmates experience lower levels of stressors on seven of eight adjustment needs identified by Toch. The article discusses these stressors as well as the additional stress created by the separation from children experienced by the majority of female inmates.