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PTSD symptoms, substance use, and vipassana meditation among incarcerated individuals
Author(s) -
Simpson T. L.,
Kaysen D.,
Bowen S.,
MacPherson L. M.,
Chawla N.,
Blume A.,
Marlatt G. A.,
Larimer M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20209
Subject(s) - meditation , substance use , clinical psychology , psychology , posttraumatic stress , psychiatry , theology , philosophy
The present study evaluated whether Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom severity was associated with participation and treatment outcomes comparing a Vipassana meditation course to treatment as usual in an incarcerated sample. This study utilizes secondary data. The original study demonstrated that Vipassana meditation is associated with reductions in substance use. The present study found that PTSD symptom severity did not differ significantly between those who did and did not volunteer to take the course. Participation in the Vipassana course was associated with significantly greater reductions in substance use than treatment as usual, regardless of PTSD symptom severity levels. These results suggest that Vipassana meditation is worthy of further study for those with comorbid PTSD and substance use problems.