Using Interactive Voice Response to Measure Stressful Daily Events Among Prisoners on Parole

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

The re-entry process is considered to be a stressful event and stress has been identified as an acute dynamic risk factor for crime and criminal recidivism. This study evaluates if Interactive Voice Response can be used to measure stressful daily events and experiences in paroled offenders (N = 108) during their first 30 days after leaving prison. All subjects were called daily and asked to make a voice recording, maximum 30 s, about their most stressful daily event. Of a possible 3,240 recordings during the first 30 days after release on parole, 1103 (33.9%) were completed. Average daily response rate was 31%. Of 1103 completed recordings 546 (48.5%) contained at least one daily stressor. Common class of stressor recorded was overload/demands connected to the re-entry process.

Author

• Zoran Vasiljevic, Malmo University