A Christian spirituality group with female offenders: Impacting hope.

Religious Interventions

May 2021

Full Citation

Nedderman, A. B. (2009). A Christian spirituality group with female offenders: Impacting hope. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 69(7-B), 4435. Retrieved from http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=reference&D=psyc6&NEWS=N&A…

Abstract

The number of female inmates has dramatically increased, but without a corresponding increase in gender-sensitive rehabilitation programs. Female offenders have complex needs and unique stressors and often feel powerless and hopeless. Group therapy is considered a fundamental delivery option in forensic mental health, however, there are few published research studies in the field. In addition, spirituality is a critical category for forensic therapy. To address the needs of the prisoners, this pilot study explored the use of psycho-educational group therapy based in Christian spirituality with female offenders. The purpose was to assess the impact of the therapy on the instillation of hope. The 12-week, 90-minute group used a curriculum entitled "Prisoners of Hope," prepared by the researcher and based on constructs identified in the literature review. Both a counseling group (20 offenders) and a control group (19 offenders) were used. Participants of the experimental group were volunteers at a maximum security state prison in Gatesville, Texas, solicited through announcement by the chaplain. The control group was a wait-list. A demographic survey was completed, as well as the Herth Hope Index (HHI) as a pretest and posttest. The HHI indicates total hope score as well as scoring on three factors. The data was analyzed using a series of t tests for independent samples in order to measure the mean gain scores between the two groups. Results indicate a probability of error (p) of .067 on total hope, which does not meet the .05 standard of significance. However, factor 1, "inner sense of temporality and future," indicates a p of .007, showing significance. The author expresses hope that this pilot will spur a more intense interest in outcome studies exploring hope and spirituality pertaining to incarcerated women. Key terms: female offenders, hope, psycho-educational group therapy, spirituality, Herth Hope Index (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)