MAMBRA's Impact on IPV Symptoms of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women

Abstract

This repeated measures, descriptive study investigated the effect of Music and Account-Making for Behavioral-Related Adaptation (MAMBRA), a group psychoeducation music intervention, on symptoms reported by 41 incarcerated and community women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Psychosocial measurements included: the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; Speilberger State Anxiety Inventory; Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale; the UCLA Loneliness Scale, version 3; and the Index of Spouse Abuse. MAMBRA was administered over four sessions for five groups of women. Through descriptive and univariate statistics, psychosocial measures positively changed across the MAMBRA sessions. These findings suggest MAMBRA impacted IPV symptoms and may be an efficacious intervention. Future longitudinal studies with diverse samples are warranted.

An Exploratory Study Using Cortisol to Describe the Response of Incarcerated Women IPV Survivors to MAMBRA Intervention

“…Activities such as psychoeducation and group discussion help female inmates to formulate accounts that cope with the psychological effects of IPV (e.g., depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and social isolation) [ 21 ]. With music in therapy, a therapeutic mediator is established that increases social interaction, improves quality of life, enhances personal growth, and increases self-actualization [ 45 ].…”

“…As such, it is a gender sensitive and trauma informed group therapy intervention that provides opportunities for women (especially incarcerated women) to learn and improve upon adaptive behaviors (i.e., prosocial action for themselves, their families, and communities) [ 48 , 49 ]. MAMBRA also promotes healing, mental health, and self-management of symptoms related to past IPV, which are needed for female incarcerated IPV survivors who will at some point struggle to reintegrate back into society [ 21 ].…”

“…This cortisol data is from the same patient population and intervention as previously published. In that study we assessed the impact of MAMBRA on the psychological symptoms of incarcerated women with histories of abuse [ 21 ]. We are reporting the cortisol findings separately because the purpose of the parent study was to separately describe the participants' psychological and physiological responses to the MAMBRA intervention.…”

“…Women's genre and music lyrics can be evaluated to capture the target audiences' cultural values and beliefs for violence-free living. Among female incarcerated IPV victim survivors, women's music prompted participants to consider how to use music for self-expression and self-care of symptoms related to their experiences with IPV [ 21 ]. For this exploratory study, the number of sessions needed to address the women's immediate psychoeducation concerns were 4 sessions.…”

Post-Intervention Cortisol Level in Victims-Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Living in Transition-Housing

“…Previous research with the Music and Account-Making Behavioral-Related Adaptation (MAMBRA) Intervention indicated a positive impact on psychosocial symptoms for victims-survivors of IPV, incarcerated and previously-incarcerated 13 with decreased cortisol for incarcerated. 14 However, cortisol changes have not been reported for previously-incarcerated victims-survivors of IPV living in low-income community transitionhousing.…”