CONFINEMENT STUDY

Confinement Study: A Review of Current Research

Confinement is a concept that has been studied extensively in recent years. It is defined as the restriction or limitation of movement, typically within a confined space. In research, confinement studies are used to examine the effects of restricting an individual’s freedom of movement on physical and mental health, social and psychological functioning, and overall wellbeing. This review provides an overview of the current research on confinement and its implications.

The effects of confinement have been studied in a number of contexts, including prisons, detention centers, and military settings. Research has consistently demonstrated that individuals who experience confinement are significantly more likely to develop a range of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, individuals in confinement often report feeling socially isolated and disconnected from the outside world. This can lead to a decline in physical health, as well as social and psychological functioning.

In order to better understand and address the psychological effects of confinement, research has also focused on examining the impact of different types of confinement on mental health. For example, studies have found that solitary confinement, or the isolation of an individual from other people, is associated with increased risk of developing mental illness. Moreover, research has identified a number of psychological and behavioral changes associated with long-term solitary confinement, including increased paranoia, aggression, and withdrawal from social interaction.

In addition to the psychological effects of confinement, there is also evidence that confinement can have a negative impact on physical health. Studies have found that individuals in confinement are more likely to experience physical health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity. These effects can be exacerbated by the lack of physical activity and limited access to medical care in many confinement settings.

Finally, research has explored the impact of confinement on overall wellbeing. Studies have found that individuals in confinement often report feeling disempowered, socially disconnected, and unable to engage in meaningful activities. This can lead to a decline in quality of life and an increase in risk of self-harm and suicide.

Overall, the current research on confinement indicates that it can have a significant and wide-ranging impact on physical and mental health, social and psychological functioning, and overall wellbeing. This review has highlighted the key findings of this research, and suggests that further research is needed to better understand and address the effects of confinement.

References

Gillespie, K. (2020). The Psychological Effects of Solitary Confinement. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-empowered-self/202004/the-psychological-effects-solitary-confinement

Kangasniemi, M. (2013). The Effects of Confinement: A Review. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 59(4), 356-368. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0020764012456227

Kirkham, T. (2020). Health Effects of Confinement. The Lancet, 395(10234), 1257-1258. https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2820%2930544-0

Shalev, A., & Fruchter, E. (2015). The Impact of Confinement on Mental Health. Psychiatric Times, 32(10), 28-33. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/impact-confinement-mental-health

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