Psychological research in the Portuguese prison context: a systematic literature review and challenges for future research

Abstract

The present paper aims, through a systematic literature review, at identifying and understanding the main themes in the Portuguese research in the prison context, identifying future research opportunities. The analysis of 41 papers allow the authors to identify 6 typologies of studies in this field, namely, empirical studies with adult samples, juvenile samples and prison staff, studies that work on the adaptation and validation of measures, intervention programs and theoretical papers. Thematically, the research with adult forensic populations, which represents 18 out of 41 papers, focuses on the psychopathology and personality disorders domains. The results allow the conclusion that psychological research in the prison context has focused in classic psychological themes, from the clinical domain, collecting data from inmates. The authors identify the use of multilevel approaches and research in the organizational, occupational, educational and human sexuality domains as opportunities for future research.