Coping with stress and the sense of quality of life in inmates of correctional facilities

Aim. The aim of the study was to examine the differences between groups of prison inmates distinguished according to the sense of quality of life in terms of their ways of coping with stress. Methods. In order to verify the research hypotheses, the following instruments were used: (1) The sense of quality of life Questionnaire (SQLQ) by M. Straś-Romanowska (2007) and (2) the COPE Inventory by Carver, Scheier and Weintraub (1989). Results. The results of the presented research have confirmed that the ways of coping with stress used by prison inmates are related to the sense of quality of life. This conclusion applies not only to overall sense of quality of life but also to all of its dimensions: psychophysical, psychosocial, personal, and metaphysical one. According to the assumed hypothesis, people with a high level of overall quality of life significantly more often than people with a low level of quality of life prefer active coping strategies, including strategies such as: Active coping, Planning, Searching for instrumental support, Searching for emotional support, Positive revaluation and development. A similar conclusion with minor modifications also applies to other dimensions of quality of life. Conclusions. Thus, the use of constructive ways of coping with stress – based on seeking support, personal activity in coping with problems and drawing conclusions from wrong life decisions – is related to higher level of quality of life.