Exploring an intensive meditation intervention for incarcerated youth. Issue 1 (11th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barnert, Elizabeth S.; Himelstein, Samuel; Herbert, Sarah; Garcia‐Romeu, Albert; Chamberlain, Lisa J.
• Is Part Of: Child and adolescent mental health. Volume 19:Issue 1(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 69
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2013-02-11
• Subjects: Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; Child mental health -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Teenagers -- Mental health -- Periodicals; 155.405
• DOI: 10.1111/camh.12019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-357X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="camh12019-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="camh12019-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>We examined the experiences of incarcerated adolescent males (<italic>N</italic> = 29) who participated in a one‐day meditation retreat and 10‐week meditation programme.</p> </sec> <sec id="camh12019-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Self‐report surveys assessing mindfulness, self‐regulation, impulsivity and stress; behavioural assessments; and focus group data were examined.</p> </sec> <sec id="camh12019-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>We observed significantly higher scores in self‐regulation (<italic>p </italic>=<italic> </italic>.012) and psychometric markers demonstrated psychological enhancement. No behavioural change was observed. Six themes emerged: enhanced well‐being, increased self‐discipline, increased social cohesiveness, expanded self‐awareness, resistance to meditation and future meditation practice.</p> </sec> <sec id="camh12019-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Early evidence suggests that meditation training for incarcerated youth is a feasible and promising intervention.</p> </sec> </abstract>