3 - (IOP 38) Acceptability and Feasibility of Mindfulness and Modification Therapy (MMT) for Dysregulated Behaviors in a Prison Population

Impulsivity has been linked with a variety of addictive and dysregulated behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, aggressive acts), which are associated with criminal offending (Griffing et al., 2018). Impulsivity has been implicated as a significant precursor to criminal offending (Miller, 2004), and it has been associated with violent recidivism in criminal populations (Billen et al., 2019; Novaco, 2011). Yet, impulsivity and dysregulated behaviors are not common primary targets of forensic treatment programming. Mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions have increasingly shown effectiveness in reducing impulsivity (e.g., Dixon et al., 2019), and reviews and meta-analyses of mindfulness and meditation-based interventions show promise within forensic settings in addressing psychological and criminogenic needs (Per et al., 2020; Shonin et al., 2013; Yoon et al., 2017). However, this area of research is still nascent.

Whereas existing treatments target specific dysregulated behaviors, Mindfulness and Modification Therapy (MMT; Wupperman, 2019) is a transdiagnostic therapy that systematically integrates aspects of six empirically supported treatments for impulsive and dysregulated behavior. As such, MMT may offer an efficient approach to addressing a variety of dysregulated behaviors, thereby supporting increased safety within carceral settings and enhancing goals of rehabilitation. To date, MMT has demonstrated positive results in community settings when treating substance misuse and anger/aggression (Wupperman et al, 2012; Wupperman et al., 2015; Wupperman et al., 2019), but it has not yet been examined in a prison setting.

The present research is a preliminary study of feasibility and acceptability of using a 14-session version of group MMT as a voluntary treatment option with residents of a medium-security state prison in the Midwest. Prison residents (n = 34) engaged in a 14-week course of MMT in groups of six to eight participants to address primary target behaviors related to anger (n = 15), substance addiction (n = 11), binge eating (n = 4) and others (e.g., gambling, porn addiction; n = 4). The results replicate prior preliminary research examining feasibility and acceptability of MMT in community settings (Wupperman et al, 2012; Wupperman et al., 2015; Wupperman et al., 2019). In the present study, 73.53% of participants (n = 25) completed treatment. Completers demonstrated high engagement, as indicated through session attendance (M = 12.84, SD = 1.25) and between-session practice engagement (60% of participants completed weekly practice at least 90% of the time). Post-treatment qualitative responses indicated participants would strongly recommend the treatment to others, felt like the treatment was very important for them, and believed it was likely they would continue to engage in mindfulness practice and using the skills they learned. These results provide an important first step in suggesting MMT is a viable transdiagnostic treatment option for addictive, impulsive, and dysregulated behavior that is well-received and has shown high engagement within a prison setting.