Outcomes of Trauma-Informed Interventions for Incarcerated Women

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to conduct a review of experimental, quasi-experimental, and pre-test/post-test studies using manualized, trauma-informed interventions with incarcerated women. A systematic search of electronic databases, reference harvesting, and communication with experts were used to identify relevant primary studies. Nine studies meeting the specified inclusion/exclusion criteria were identified. Three studies used random assignment and five used a comparison or waitlist group. Interventions identified included Seeking Safety, Helping Women Recover/Beyond Trauma, Esuba, and Beyond Violence. Results of the studies indicate a decrease in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and an additive effect to treatment as usual. Initial evidence for trauma-informed interventions for incarcerated women appears positive; however, replication using more rigorous research designs and inclusion of effect sizes are recommended. Limitations of this review include exclusion of the gray literature and lack of meta-analysis.

How Does Timing Affect Trauma Treatment for Women Who Are Incarcerated? An Empirical Analysis

“…If adopted, this transformation would result in the provision of both trauma-informed practices (e.g., same-sex medical exams or describing pat-down procedure prior to physical contact) and trauma-focused therapy. Most trauma-focused therapies emphasize providing psychoeducation and teaching coping skills (e.g., distress tolerance, cognitive restructuring, or problem solving) within a supportive and safe environment; they can be further delineated into those that use exposure (e.g., the current treatment; Karlsson et al, 2015) and those that do not (e.g., Helping Women Recover & Beyond Trauma, Seeking Safety; reviewed in King, 2017). Beginning trauma therapy, including those involving exposure, can be temporarily unsettling and difficult (Hayes et al, 2007).…”

Adversity, Mental Health, and Substance Use Disorders as Predictors and Mediators of Rule Violations in U.S. Prisons

“…Evidence-based trauma-informed mental health/substance use disorder treatments have been developed and tested with nonincarcerated populations. However, these interventions have only recently been studied with incarcerated patients (King, 2017). The interventions that have been tested with incarcerated patients were summarized in a 2015 literature review and are currently limited to manualized group therapy based primarily on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness approaches (King, 2017).…”

“…However, these interventions have only recently been studied with incarcerated patients (King, 2017). The interventions that have been tested with incarcerated patients were summarized in a 2015 literature review and are currently limited to manualized group therapy based primarily on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness approaches (King, 2017). Continued research is needed to identify and test additional models of evidence-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment for use in prisons.…”

Healthcare-induced trauma in correctional facilities: a qualitative exploration

“…This study was part of a larger project that examined relationships between men’s experiences of healthcare during incarceration, trauma history, and utilization of primary care after release. Trauma research in incarcerated populations has historically focused on trauma that occurs in the community, childhood abuse, and experiences of women, adolescents, and aging prisoners (Cimino, Mendoza, Thieleman, Shively, & Kunz, 2015 ; King, 2017 ; Maschi, Gibson, Zgoba, & Morgen, 2011 ). We focused on the experiences of men because there is limited research on the trauma experiences of men during incarceration.…”