Introduction: Family functioning can be one of the most important determinants of mental health of prisoners. Despite the research that has been done on the relationship between family functioning and mental health, few studies have examined the relationship between these two variables among prisoners. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between family functioning and mental health of prisoners on the verge of release in Kerman and Yazd prisons in 2019. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional one, and the data collection tools were Family Functioning Questionnaire (FAD) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The statistical population was all 743 prisoners on the verge of release in prisons in Kerman and Yazd provinces. The results were analyzed using SPSS 23 software and Pearson's correlation and linear regression. Out of prisoners, %95 were male and mean age was 27/9 ±15/37. In terms of marital status, 522 (70.3%) were married. Also, 378 (51%) of them had no history of imprisonment and 365 (49%) had a history of imprisonment of one to thirteen years. In terms of the type of crime committed, 335 (45%) of them committed drug-related crimes, 198 (27%) committed theft, and the rest (28%) committed other crimes. There was a positive and significant relationship between family performance and mental health of prisoners (p=0.001). The regression results also showed that %13 of the changes in the mental health of prisoners were a function of their family functioning. Also, among the dimensions of family functioning, three dimensions of problem solving (β=0.24), emotional intercourse (β=0.13), and behavioral control (β=13.13) were the strongest predictors of mental health of prisoners. Conclusion: Family functioning components had a positive and significant relationship with all aspects of mental health except social inefficiency. The lower the level of family functioning, the lower the mental health of family members. |
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