Evaluating the feasibility of prison officers delivering a guided self-help programme for stress to adult male offenders serving a long-term prison sentence and Clinical Research Portfolio

Lai, Jennifer (2020) Evaluating the feasibility of prison officers delivering a guided self-help programme for stress to adult male offenders serving a long-term prison sentence and Clinical Research Portfolio. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background:
Prisoners have substantial mental health needs. Prisoners should have access to healthcare of the same standard as non-prisoners and CBT-based self-help is recommended for anxiety and depression in non-prisoners. Living Life To The Full (LLTTF) is a CBT-based approach that has been demonstrated to reduce anxiety and depression in non-prisoners.

Aims:
To evaluate the feasibility of Prison Officers providing guided self-help support to adult male offenders experiencing stress.

Method:
Prison Officers and prisoners in HMP Shotts were invited to participate. Prison Officers completed LLTTF training and met prisoners individually for four sessions of LLTTF. Prisoners completed measures of anxiety, depression, and perceived functioning. This was supplemented by questionnaires completed by Personal Officers, work attendance, and breaches of prison rules. Feedback about LLTTF was collected from prisoners and Prison Officers.

Results:
Six Prison Officers (6%) attended staff training and two (33%) withdrew prior to prisoner recruitment. 6% (n=15) of prisoners invited to take part volunteered and were eligible. Seven completed LLTTF. A large effect size was associated with depression self-ratings pre- to post-treatment. Pre-treatment anxiety reduced at Week 4 and increased at post-treatment, which reflects deterioration in a minority. Feedback from Prison Officers and prisoners indicated LLTTF materials require adaptation for prison. Prison Officers highlighted practical barriers to delivery, including limited resources.

Conclusions:
Guided self-help in prison is worth pursuing. Revision of materials with Prison Officers and prisoners is recommended, and piloted prior to future research. Designated guided self-help workers may be better placed to deliver LLTTF due to practical barriers reported by Prison Officers.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Prisoners, anxiety, depression, guided self-help, Prison Officers.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: McMillan, Professor Tom
• Date of Award: 2020
• Depositing User: Miss Jennifer Lai
• Unique ID: glathesis:2020-81338
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 05 May 2020 09:52
• Last Modified: 08 Sep 2022 09:53
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.81338
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/81338