Fear of COVID-19 and inmates’ the sense of loneliness

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and inmates’ the sense of loneliness.Method: The research was carried out using the diagnostic survey method. Two standardized research tools, adapted to Polish conditions, were used: the COVID-19 fear scale of D.K. Ahorsu et al. (Adaptation - A. Lewicka-Zelent, W. Czerski) and the Sense of Loneliness Scale de Jong Gierveld. (adaptation - P. Grygiel, G. Humenny, S. Rębisz, P. Świtaj, J. Sikorska). The group of respondents consisted of 429 people staying in six penitentiary units - 6 prisons and 2 pre-trial detention centers, randomly selected by the Central Board of the Prison Service.Results: The results of own research show that inmates do not feel a strong fear of Covid-19, and their sense of loneliness is of moderate intensity. The correlation between them is weak and positive. This means that as the fear of the coronavirus intensifies, the sense of loneliness increases in people imprisoned in solitary confinement.Implications: The obtained research results indicate the need to continue the research undertaken in a situation where sanitary restrictions related to minimizing the risk of falling ill with COVID-19 are reintroduced. Inmates should take additional measures to prevent negative consequences resulting from the high level of fear of COVID-19 and inmates’ the sense of loneliness. It is not even about wide-ranging impacts, but rather targeted at individual people who experience increased fear of the coronavirus and loneliness, despite being with other inmates in prison. It means the necessity to make a detailed diagnosis in this regard among persons deprived of liberty.