A qualitative investigation of the experience of a mindfulness-based intervention with incarcerated adolescents.
Samuel Himelstein, Arthur Hastings, Shauna L. Shapiro, Myrtle Heery
Child and Adolescent Mental Health November 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2011.00647.x (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIncarcerated male adolescents who completed a 10-week mindfulness-based intervention reported increases in subjective well-being, self-regulation, awareness, and an accepting attitude toward the treatment. The findings suggest that adapted mindfulness programs are feasible for this population and hold promise as a treatment option.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 23 |
| Population | Incarcerated male adolescents |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Duration | 10 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Adolescents Incarcerated youth |
| Key finding | Adapted mindfulness-based interventions are feasible for incarcerated youth and associated with increases in well-being, self-regulation, and awareness. |
Abstract
This study investigated the experience of 23 incarcerated male adolescents who participated in an adapted 10-week mindfulness-based intervention. Participants completed semi-structured interviews immediately following the final class of the treatment intervention. A six-step thematic content analysis was used to identify major themes from the transcribed semi-structured interviews. Four major clusters of themes were identified: increase in subjective well-being, increase in self-regulation, increase in awareness, and accepting attitude toward the treatment intervention. Results suggest that adapted mindfulness-based interventions are feasible as treatments for incarcerated youth and have promising potential. Clinical implications are discussed.