Evaluation of a Peer-Facilitated Trauma Intervention for Incarcerated Men

Abstract

This pilot study examined a peer-facilitated trauma-focused intervention among 624 incarcerated men (Exploring Trauma). Pre- and postintervention data were collected on trauma-related mental health symptoms, aggression, and anger. The results demonstrated statistically significant improvement in trauma-related symptoms relative to pretreatment functioning and demonstrated support for the feasibility of peer-facilitation. Effect sizes were small to moderate, with the largest impact on current traumatic distress, depression, and anxiety (Cohen’s d = .54, .48, .46, respectively). The mixed-effects regression results showed the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on outcomes was strong and cumulative (i.e., greater exposure to ACEs increased the likelihood of participant program gain on mental health and aggression symptoms, ranging from .15 to .77). The findings showed that trauma can be safely addressed in corrections and provide promising support for peer-facilitation with training and oversight. Rigorous studies are needed on the impact of trauma-informed services and models of program delivery.

An Experimental Study of the Effectiveness of a Trauma- Specific Intervention for Incarcerated Men

“…Standardized instruments included detailed questions about demographics, childhood and adult victimization and perpetration, mental health, substance use, and criminal justice involvement. The feasibility of these measures and procedures were previously found to be effective and valid among incarcerated populations (Kubiak et al, 2014; Messina, 2022; Messina et al, 2020; Messina & Burdon, 2021; Messina & Zwart, 2021)…”

“…Standardized instruments included detailed questions about demographics, childhood and adult victimization and perpetration, mental health, substance use, and criminal justice involvement. The feasibility of these measures and procedures were previously found to be effective and valid among incarcerated populations (Kubiak et al, 2014;Messina, 2022;Messina et al, 2020;Messina & Burdon, 2021;Messina & Zwart, 2021) Conflict Tactics Scales and the Abuse Behavior Inventory. To ascertain the level of victimization and perpetration of violence within the sample, a modified index of perpetration and victimization history was developed based on several of the items from the Conflict Tactics Scales (Straus, 1979;Straus et al, 1996) and the Abuse Behavior Inventory (Shepard & Campbell, 1992).…”

“…The initial pilot studies implemented a trained Peer-facilitated model of program delivery assessing the program impact among 624 participants from two men’s prisons and varying levels of security risk classification, that is, medium to maximum security ( Messina, 2022 ). Results from the pre- and post-intervention surveys demonstrated statistically significant improvement over 6–8 weeks among participants on 100% of the 19 mental health and anger outcomes measured.…”

“…Additionally, many debilitating predictive factors, such as the impact of lifelong trauma, are missing from the analytical models of treatment outcome studies, further impeding the availability of specialized treatment programs designed to address such factors (Baglivio et al, 2014; Meade & Steiner, 2013; Messina, 2022). Thus, it is difficult to rely on conclusions about the effectiveness of corrections-based treatment if the programs are not attending to the complex needs of those under their care.…”

“…Recent pilot studies have begun to show the positive impact of a trauma-specific psychoeducational program implemented within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) (Messina, 2022; Messina & Burdon, 2021). Exploring Trauma (ET): A Brief Intervention for Men (Covington & Rodriguez, 2016) was introduced to CDCR with the goal of reducing trauma-related mental health issues and the reoccurrence of violence in prison.…”