The impact of mindfulness meditation and self-compassion on criminal impulsivity in a prisoner sample

Alternative Therapies

May 2021

Full Citation

Morley, R. H. (2018). The impact of mindfulness meditation and self-compassion on criminal impulsivity in a prisoner sample. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 33(2), 118-122. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11896-017-9239-8

Abstract

Previous studies indicate a link between mindfulness practice and improvements in self-compassion Neff (Self and identity 2(2):85-101, 2003b), self-regulation Baer (Clinical psychology: Science and practice 10(2):125-143, 2003), and a reduction in criminality Rainforth (Journal of Offender Rehabilitation 36(1-4):181-203, 2003). Similarly, self-compassion has been linked to greater self-control among criminals Morley (Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma 1-15, 2016). The focus of this study was to investigate the impact of mindfulness meditation and self-compassion on criminal impulsivity. To accomplish this investigation, a survey was conducted examining self-compassion as a mediator for the practice of mindfulness-based meditation and criminal impulsivity among jail inmates interested in meditation. The analysis showed that self-compassion, criminal impulsivity, and length of practicing mindfulness meditation were correlated. The results also showed that the relationship between practicing mindfulness meditation and self-reported criminal impulsivity was mediated by self-compassion. The results and limitations of this study were discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)