Social problem solving in vulnerable adult prisoners: profile and intervention

Other

April 2021

Full Citation

Hayward, J., McMurran, M., & Sellen, J. (2008). Social problem solving in vulnerable adult prisoners: profile and intervention. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 19(2), 243–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789940701752193

Abstract

Poor social problem-solving has been shown to be associated with vulnerability, distress, and suicidality in young prisoners. The objectives of this study were to compare the social problem-solving abilities of vulnerable adult prisoners and those who are coping better with imprisonment, and to examine the effectiveness of a social problem-solving intervention, Stop & Think!, with a sub-group of vulnerable prisoners. Scores on the Social Problem Solving Inventory--Revised (SPSI-R) were compared for adult prisoners on normal location (n = 47) and those on a special landing for vulnerable prisoners (n = 68). Pre- and post-treatment scores on the SPSI-R were compared for 28 vulnerable prisoners who participated in Stop & Think! The data indicate that vulnerable prisoners are poorer social problem-solvers than those who are coping with imprisonment; that Stop & Think! appears acceptable to vulnerable prisoners and the staff who work with them and is practically applicable on a special landing; and that Stop & Think! may effect positive change in social problem-solving abilities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)