Interpersonal trauma in female offenders : a new, brief, psycho-educational intervention in a community based setting.

Ball, Sarah; Karatzias, Thanos; Mahoney, Adam; Ferguson, Sandra; Pate, Kirsty

Abstract

Background: High prevalence rates of interpersonal violence and abuse histories in female offenders have been well documented in the literature. However, the evidence base on the effectiveness of such interventions remains rather limited. Objective: The present pilot study reports on the effectiveness of a new, brief, psychoeducational group intervention for the management of mental health and behavioural problems in a population of female offenders with a history of complex trauma. Method: A total of n = 24 female offenders commenced an eight-session manualised intervention. Quantitative data were obtained through pre- and post-group self-report measures (PCL-C and CORE) intended to examine trauma symptomatology and general psychological distress. Results: Analysis indicated statistically significant differences between pre- and post-treatment scores across all dimensions of the measures with the exception of the CORE ‘Risk’ subscale. Effect sizes ranged between medium and large across measures.Conclusion: Although further research is required, results indicate that psychoeducational interventions delivered within the context of holistic service provision may be useful in managing psychological distress in female offenders who are trauma survivors.

Citation

Ball, S., Karatzias, T., Mahoney, A., Ferguson, S., & Pate, K. (2013). Interpersonal trauma in female offenders : a new, brief, psycho-educational intervention in a community based setting. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 24, 795-802. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2013.852233

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2013
• Deposit Date: Jun 5, 2015
• Print ISSN: 1478-9949
• Electronic ISSN: 1478-9957
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Pages: 795-802
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2013.852233
• Keywords: Complex trauma; psychoeducation; female offenders; community setting
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/8516
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2013.852233