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Exploring an intensive meditation intervention for incarcerated youth
Author(s) -
Barnert Elizabeth S.,
Himelstein Samuel,
Herbert Sarah,
GarciaRomeu Albert,
Chamberlain Lisa J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
child and adolescent mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1475-3588
pISSN - 1475-357X
DOI - 10.1111/camh.12019
Subject(s) - meditation , mindfulness , psychology , intervention (counseling) , clinical psychology , impulsivity , group cohesiveness , mindfulness meditation , psychotherapist , psychiatry , social psychology , philosophy , theology
Background We examined the experiences of incarcerated adolescent males ( N = 29) who participated in a one‐day meditation retreat and 10‐week meditation programme. Method Self‐report surveys assessing mindfulness, self‐regulation, impulsivity and stress; behavioural assessments; and focus group data were examined. Results We observed significantly higher scores in self‐regulation ( p = .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. Conclusions Early evidence suggests that meditation training for incarcerated youth is a feasible and promising intervention.