Impact of a mindfulness based intervention with women in prison

BACKGROUND: Incarceration, a very stressful event, often leads to negative health outcomes including stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia with frequent physician visits utilizing costly resources. These health problems are typically treated with psychotropic medications that are only beneficial to some inmates. In light of these negative outcomes it is essential to find efficient non-pharmacological interventions for reduction of stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia METHODS: A convenience sample of 18 women participated in a 12-week group incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Relaxation Techniques, and Meditations. To practice their skills the women received a CD player and a CD with meditation and relaxation exercises.. In addition to baseline measures, pre-post measures included The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), State Trait Anxiety Form Y (STAI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD 10). RESULTS: Descriptive statistics were reviewed to characterize all variables of interest and to ensure that assumptions were met for analyses. The scores were significantly lower for the women's stress (t = 2.805, p = .012), anxiety (t = 4.079, p = .001), and depression (t = 4.228, p = .001) following the intervention. Insomnia scores also decreased between the pre-test and the post-test period (t = 3.574, p = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Given these initial results, this intervention has the potential to improve these negative health outcomes and will be repeated with another sample of women. It may prove to be a cost effective intervention that can be utilized by other correctional facilities.