Exploring an intensive meditation intervention for incarcerated youth
Elizabeth S. Barnert, Samuel Himelstein, Sarah Herbert, Albert Garcia‐romeu, Lisa Chamberlain
Child and Adolescent Mental Health February 11, 2013 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12019 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention with mixed methods Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Incarcerated adolescent males |
| Interventions | meditation retreat 10-week meditation programme |
| Duration | One-day meditation retreat and 10-week meditation programme |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Intervention counseling Clinical psychology Impulsivity Group cohesiveness Mindfulness meditation Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 50 |
| Key points | Meditation training for incarcerated adolescent males was associated with improved self-regulation and psychological enhancement, but no behavioral change was observed. |
Abstract
Background: We examined the experiences of incarcerated adolescent males (N = 29) who participated in a one-day meditation retreat and 10-week meditation programme.
Method: Self-report surveys assessing mindfulness, self-regulation, impulsivity and stress; behavioural assessments; and focus group data were examined.
Results: We observed significantly higher scores in self-regulation (p = .012) and psychometric markers demonstrated psychological enhancement. No behavioural change was observed. Six themes emerged: enhanced well-being, increased self-discipline, increased social cohesiveness, expanded self-awareness, resistance to meditation and future meditation practice.
Conclusions: Early evidence suggests that meditation training for incarcerated youth is a feasible and promising intervention.