Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41862965›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2026

Mental health profile of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women entering New South Wales public prisons: a retrospective cohort study using real-world data.

Reem Zeki, Alexandra Higgins, Scott Gill, Panayiota Zingirlis, Sharlene Kaye, Prabin Chemjong, Adam Vance, Mark V A Howard, Kimberlie Dean, Julia Bowman

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Article in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Reem ZekiResearch and Evaluation Team, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia. Reem.Zeki@health.nsw.gov.au.
Alexandra HigginsPopulation and Preventative Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.
Scott GillResearch and Evaluation Team, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.
Panayiota ZingirlisCommunity Forensic Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.
Sharlene KayeResearch and Evaluation Team, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.
Prabin ChemjongCustodial Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.
Adam VanceCustodial Mental Health, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.
Mark V A HowardCorrections Research Evaluation and Statistics, Corrective Services NSW, Sydney, Australia.
Kimberlie DeanResearch and Evaluation Team, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.
Julia BowmanResearch and Evaluation Team, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWomen in prison with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are at higher risk of marginalisation, isolation, and discrimination than non-CALD women. Despite this, the mental health of CALD women in prison is under-researched and there is limited evidence to inform practice. This study aimed to investigate the mental health profile of CALD women entering New South Wales (NSW) public prisons.

methodsA retrospective cohort study utilising routinely collected data managed by the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network including all women entering NSW public prisons from 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2024. Reception Screening Assessment (RSA) forms were used to identify women who entered prison. Women were identified as CALD if they were born in countries other than the main English-speaking countries or their preferred language was not English. Mental disorders were identified from active health conditions recorded in the Justice Health electronic Health System. Descriptive statistics were produced for women’s characteristics and substance use and compared using Chi-square test. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare mental disorders between CALD and non-CALD women.

resultsDuring the study period, 924 CALD and 3788 non-CALD women entered NSW public prisons. Reported substance use was lower in CALD than non-CALD women. CALD women were significantly less likely to have mental disorders than non-CALD women, except for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, which did not significantly differ in prevalence by CALD status. Depressive disorders were the most prevalent type of mental health disorder among CALD women (12.1%). The greatest difference was in bipolar-related disorders which were less prevalent among CALD than non-CALD women (1.4% vs. 4.5%, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19–0.65).

conclusionsWhile CALD women had a lower recorded prevalence of mental disorders, this likely reflects a combination of systemic under-detection and differences in the characteristics and criminal justice pathways of CALD women in custody. A multifaceted approach is needed to ensure accurate identification and treatment, including culturally responsive practice, effective interpreter access, and creating an environment where women feel safe to report their mental health concerns.

Indexed as

Cultural DiversityMental DisordersMental HealthPrisonersPrisonsAdultFemaleHumansNew South WalesRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultAustraliaCALDCohort studyCulturally and linguistically diverseMental healthNew South WalesPrisonReal-world dataWomen

Identifiers

PMID41862965
PMCPMC13126866

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LicenceCC BY
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