RESSENTMENT AS A MEDIATOR OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS AND THE SENSE OF MEANING IN LIFE AMONG INCARCERATED MEN

<ns3:p>The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between stress and the sense of meaning in life among men serving custodial sentences, within the conceptual framework of ressentiment. The sense of meaning in life is understood here as a subjective state arising from the experience of isolation and the lack of emotional bonds with other people. Ressentiment, in turn, is conceptualized within the framework of emotional regulation as a negative, enduring emotional state resulting from feelings of unfulfillment, frustration, and social isolation. This attitude develops as a consequence of a distorted and generalized perception of reality, leading to an internalized and suppressed emotional–cognitive response directed toward other people, situations, or oneself. In this context, stress—understood as a psychophysiological response to events that exceed an individual’s adaptive capacities—constitutes a significant predictor of the intensity of these emotional reactions.Method. The study was conducted using a diagnostic survey method. Two standardized research instruments, adapted to Polish conditions, were employed: the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ; Steger, Frazier, Oishi, &amp; Kaler, 2006; Polish adaptation by Kossakowska, Kwiatek, &amp; Stefaniak, 2013) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10; Cohen, Kamarck, &amp; Mermelstein; Polish adaptation by Juczyński &amp; Ogińska-Bulik), as well as an original Ressentiment Questionnaire (KRes-Psy) autor Mariusz G. Karbowski. The sample consisted of 98 adult men aged 21–64 years who were serving custodial sentences in two penitentiary institutions in Poland: the External Branch in Popowo and the Remand Prison in Warsaw-Służewiec.The results indicated that the intensity of ressentiment was significantly positively correlated with the level of perceived stress and negatively correlated with the sense of meaning in life, functioning as a relatively stable emotional–cognitive attitude mediating this relationship. The observed correlations suggest that ressentiment modulates the interpretation of experiences of isolation, perceived injustice, and helplessness, thereby intensifying psychological distress and limiting the individual’s capacity to attribute meaning to personal experiences. These findings indicate that, in penitentiary settings, ressentiment constitutes a more influential psychological mechanism than situational stressors alone. This underscores the need to incorporate interventions focused on emotional regulation, the reduction of hostility, and the restoration of a sense of agency within rehabilitative and resocialization programs, as well as the necessity for a thorough psychological assessment of these processes among incarcerated individuals.</ns3:p>