An evaluation of an adapted STEPPS group within Forensic Services
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Adapting the Systems Training and Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) Group for Service Users with complex needs. A Pilot evaluation of STEPPS High Intensity (STEPPS HI) within Forensic Inpatient Services.
IRAS ID
163894
Contact name
Elizabeth Collins
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Developent Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 28 days
Research summary
Individuals admitted to forensic inpatient low and medium services typically have a variety of psychiatric, psychological and social needs alongside their offending histories. Research suggests there is a high prevalence of personality disorder (most commonly antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD), schizophrenia, substance misuse and mixed diagnostic profiles within these settings. Rates of self-harm are particularly high amongst those admitted to secure services (especially women) as are backgrounds of trauma, childhood abuse and neglect (Sarkar & di Lustro, 2011).
Many forensic service users admitted to inpatient wards will have difficulties relating to poor emotional regulation and interpersonal problems, including self-harm, suicide attempts and aggressive behaviour towards others. For some, their difficulties with emotional dysregulation will be, at least, a contributing factor in their offending and subsequent admissions to secure hospital care.
Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS; Blum et al, 2002) is a manualised group programme for people primarily with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Although, STEPPS groups have been run within prisons in USA (Black et al., 2013), it has been less formally evaluated within forensic psychiatric settings except for Pipon-Young & Cole (2012). Taking the learning from these studies into account, significant adaptations to the current STEPPS manual are needed to increase the acceptability and applicability of the group within forensic settings.
Following the adaption of the STEPPS manual for a forensic inpatient population (STEPPS HI), this research aims to investigate how effective the group is at improving emotional regulation skills in those with identified difficulties in the area as well as whether there is increased acceptability of the adapted group for the participants. The outcome of the research is intended to provide feedback on the adaption of the STEPPS manual and also an evaluation of the revised programme.REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1573
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion