Insight to wellbeing: a pilot randomized trial of a 3 principles intervention to the alleviation of psychological suffering among incarcerated women

Abstract

Objective

Evidence suggests incarcerated individuals have high rates of mental health difficulties, and that incarcerated women face greater trauma-related than incarcerated males. The current study investigated efficacy of an acceptance-based, insight-oriented treatment approach to alleviate mental health challenges in incarcerated women.

Method

Incarcerated females (N = 90) were recruited from a medium security facility and were randomized to either the treatment condition (n = 49) or a waitlist control (n = 41). Emotion dysregulation, psychological inflexibility, global mental health, and trauma symptoms were assessed at baseline, post-course, and 6-month follow-up.

Results

A significant main effect of treatment was found for all primary outcomes at post-course and 6-month follow-up. Results yielded significant mean differences between time points for the treatment condition for all primary outcomes from baseline to post-course, and baseline to 6-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Results suggest the acceptance-based, insight-oriented treatment approach is efficacious for incarcerated women. A purposed mechanism of the intervention is discussed.

Keywords:

• acceptance-based
• psychological inflexibility
• mental health
• emotion dysregulation
• three principles
• incarcerated women

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to thank interventionists and those who contributed to the final product of this research endeavor. Additionally, a special thanks to Anna Debenham at The Insight Alliance for her contributions throughout this project. WIthout her effort, passion, and dedication this research would not have been possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data is available upon reasonable request.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Three Principles Research & Consulting, LLC under Grant: 3PRC1.2019.