Trauma-Informed Treatment Decreases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Women Offenders

Abstract

Traumatic experiences among women offenders can impact their psychological well-being and patterns of substance use and offending. However, rigorous research in this area for women offenders with a history of trauma is sparse. This study combined data from two previous studies of women offenders in order to provide greater statistical power in examining the psychological trends found in the individual studies. Specifically, women in gender-responsive treatment (GRT; n = 134) were compared to women in non-GRT (n = 143) in regard to their change in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptomatology from baseline to follow-up. The pooled sample of women were predominantly White (58%) or Hispanic (22%) and many had never been married (47%); their mean age was 36 years (SD = 8.9), and, on average, they had 12 years (SD = 1.8) of education. Methamphetamine was their primary drug (71%). Fifty-five percent of the women reported histories of sexual abuse and 37% physical abuse. Thirty-one percent had a PTSD diagnosis. Using Generalized Estimating Equations, significant group*time interactions were detected in PTSD (OR = .17) and some related symptomatology (re-experiencing: OR = .42, and avoidance: OR = .24). Given the aggregate impact of trauma in the lives of women offenders, they, their families, and their communities could benefit from research on how trauma influences their lives and on services that mitigate the negative impact of such histories.

Trauma Symptoms for Men and Women in Substance Abuse Treatment: A Latent Transition Analysis

“…These trauma-informed interventions create an environment of safety in which clients can address their problems with substance abuse while also learning about, and learning how to control, the impact of trauma on their functioning (Elliott et al, 2005). Studies of trauma-informed substance abuse treatment indicate that it can increase treatment engagement and reduce trauma symptoms, substance abuse, and recidivism, particularly for clients more affected by trauma (Amaro, Chernoff, Brown, Arevalo, & Gatz, 2007;Clark & Young, 2009;Farley et al, 2004;Hien et al, 2010;Jaycox, Ebener, Damesek, & Becker, 2004;McGovern, Lambert-Harris, Alterman, Xie, & Meier, 2011;Messina, Calhoun, & Braithwaite, 2014;Messina, Calhoun, & Warda, 2012;Messina, Grella, Cartier, & Torres, 2010;Saxena, Messina, & Grella, 2014;Torchalla, Nosen, Rostam, & Allen, 2012;van Dam et al, 2012).…”

Understanding Women in Prison: A Review of Gender Specific Needs and Risk Assessments and their Policy and Research Implications

“…Many studies have linked childhood abuse with criminality in adulthood, although studies have been inconclusive with connecting histories of abuse to the prediction of recidivism. Messina et al (2014) found that trauma informed programs were far more likely to improve outcomes, specifically for women who had developed PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Although not all women who are abused develop PTSD, it is an incredibly common disorder among female offenders.…”

“…Thus, treatment must take into account a woman's pathway and development, rather than treating all addictions the same (Covington 1998). Kissin et al (2013) Only in the recent years have studies been able to conclude that the incorporation of gender responsive factors are making a significant difference in women's lives (Kissin et al 2013;Messina et al 2014;Bloom et al 2003). This means the factors discussed above have been proven to be an effective method to rehabilitate the majority of women.…”

Modeling posttraumatic stress disorder among victimized women on probation and parole : examining the impact of childhood victimization.

“…Other studies examining the effectiveness of these treatments have shown promising results in terms of reducing PTSD symptoms and substance abuse among women involved with the criminal justice system (Messina, Calhoun, & Braithwaite, 2014;Miller & Najavits, 2012;Oklahoma Department of Corrections, 2013;Zlotnick et al, 2009). These findings are particularly important given the strong associations between past trauma, PTSD symptomology, substance use and recidivism (Fedock, Fries, & Kubiak, 2013).…”