Comparison of DBT Skills Groups with and without Animal-Assistance for Incarcerated Women with Self-Harm Histories

ABSTRACT

Females are being incarcerated at a growing rate and present management and treatment challenges for correctional and security personnel. The sample included incarcerated women with self-harm histories (n = 35) who were randomly assigned to dialectical behavior therapy skills groups with or without animal-assistance. Pre- and post-test measures of self-harm and coping were obtained. There was a significant (p = .019) decrease in the instances of self-injury in the animal-assisted group. Additionally, the animal-assisted groups had significant (p < .05) decreases in three maladaptive coping strategies whereas the non-animal- assisted groups had a significant decrease (p < .05) in only one coping strategy. The animal-assisted groups also had much lower dropout rates and better attendance.

KEYWORDS:

• Animal-assisted intervention
• self-harm
• dialectical behavior therapy skills
• prison
• group intervention

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Slippery Rock University [College of Health, Environment and Science Research grant];