ArticleHealth & justice2026
Young adults' conceptions of health and well-being during reentry.
Article in Health & justice, 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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Abstract
backgroundIn the United States, young adults (ages 18-25) represent 1 in 10 of the prison population and 1 in 5 of the jail population. They face significant physical and mental health challenges during their transition from incarceration back to community life. These challenges are compounded by the structural barriers of reentry, including challenges accessing housing, employment, and healthcare. While previous research has explored young adults' health status during the transition, less is known about their perspective on what constitutes health and well-being, and how their understanding of health is shaped or influenced by the reentry process. This study investigates the following research questions: 1) How do young adults in reentry conceptualize health and well-being? and 2) How do they describe the relationship between their health and the reentry process? The study draws on longitudinal semi-structured interviews (N = 66) with 16 young adults, aged 18-25, who were recently released from jail or on probation in June and July 2020.
resultsFindings suggest that the young adults define health as the ability to exert control over their lives. This control is demonstrated through abstaining from substances-though cannabis is often viewed as a legitimate exception-managing daily responsibilities, and coping with stressors such as mental health challenges and strained relationships. Participants also described their health status as intertwined with the reentry process, a process they viewed as both a major stressor exacerbating existing health challenges and an opportunity to break from their perceived past unhealthy behaviors. While they ascribed personal responsibility for their health outcomes, their efforts to improve their well-being were constrained by systemic barriers imposed by reentry, such as housing instability, lack of healthcare access, and employment challenges. These barriers undermined both their reentry- and health-related goals.
conclusionsFindings highlight a contrast between young adults' conceptions of health as the exertion of agency and the structural constraints they face during reentry. Their transition from incarceration shapes health in both symbolic and material ways, informing how they define and understand health, while also impacting their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
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