The Impact of Lifestyle Behaviors on the Physical and Mental Health of Older Inmates at A Southern Louisiana Maximum-Security Prison

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of lifestyle behaviors on the physical and mental health of older incarcerated males at a Southern Louisiana Maximum-Security Prison-SLMP. Using a dataset of 103 inmates aged 45 and above, the research explores how variables such as substance use history (alcohol, drugs, cigarettes), engagement in physical activity, and participation in lifestyle treatment programs predict self-reported health outcomes. Descriptive statistics reveal that 73.8% of respondents were single, 57.3% identified as Black, and 68.9% reported a history of alcohol use. Furthermore, 54.4% had used drugs, 73.8% had smoked cigarettes, and only 32% had participated in regular physical activity. Nearly 60% reported receiving no lifestyle treatment. A stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that drug use history (β = -0.28, p < 0.01) and lack of physical activity (β = -0.25, p < 0.05) significantly predicted lower current physical health scores. Mental health outcomes were negatively associated with past drug use (β = -0.34, p < 0.001) and positively associated with participation in lifestyle treatment programs (β = 0.22, p < 0.05). A one-way ANOVA showed significant differences in present health scores among inmates based on whether they participated in physical activity programs (F(2, 100) = 4.67, p < 0.05). These findings underscore the importance of physical activity and substance abuse intervention programs in improving health outcomes in older incarcerated populations. The study contributes to understanding how inmate lifestyle behaviors—before and during incarceration—affect health outcomes, offering evidence for corrections professionals seeking to provide comprehensive and continuous health care in carceral settings like SLMP.

Keywords: Lifestyle behaviors, Physical health, Mental health, Older/Geriatric inmates, Health outcomes, Incarceration, Prisons

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/15-9-03

Publication date: October 30th 2025