The Impact of a Mindfulness Based Program on Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Sleep of Incarcerated Women.
Ginette G Ferszt, Robin J Miller, Joyce E Hickey, Fleet Maull, Kate Crisp
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 16, 2015 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120911594 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 33 |
| Population | Incarcerated women |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based program |
| Duration | 12-week program |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Pilot projects Stress, psychological Perception Sleep Prisons Middle aged Prisoners Female Young adult Perceived stress Incarcerated women |
| Key points | In one group of incarcerated women, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression were significantly lower after a 12-week mindfulness-based program than before it. The authors describe the program as a low-cost, non-pharmacological intervention with potential for reducing anxiety and depression symptoms, while noting implementation challenges and limitations. |
Abstract
Incarcerated women enter the prison setting with remarkable histories of trauma, mental health and substance abuse issues. Given the stress of incarceration and separation from their children, families, and significant others, it is not surprising that many women experience increased anxiety, depression, and problems with sleep. Due to these negative outcomes, it is imperative to find efficient non-pharmacological interventions. This pilot study examined the impact of a 12-week mindfulness based program on the stress, anxiety, depression and sleep of women with a total of 33 completing the study. In one group, women's perceived stress, anxiety and depression were all significantly lower following the intervention compared to prior to the intervention. Challenges with implementing the pilot study are addressed. Despite challenges and limitations, the low-cost non-pharmacological intervention has potential for a reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- The Role of Mindfulness in Reducing the Adverse Effects of Childhood Stress and Trauma Children February 28, 2017
- Using mindfulness-based stress reduction group therapy to reduce perceived stress of vulnerable women in south of Iran. Psychology, Health & Medicine March 2023
- Effectiveness of a 4-Day Mindfulness-Based Intervention in a 2-Month Follow-Up for Chinese Incarcerated People. Behavior Therapy September 2022
- The Utility of Meditation and Mindfulness-Based Interventions in the Time of COVID-19: A Theoretical Proposition and Systematic Review of the Relevant Prison, Quarantine and Lockdown Literature. Psychological Reports December 10, 2021
- A Pilot Study of a Meditation and Mindfulness Program with Detained Juveniles: An Adaptation of Inner Resources for Teens (IRT) Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice 2020