Evaluation of Compassion Focused Therapy for Perinatal Women in Prison
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Compassion Focused Therapy for Perinatal Women in Prison
IRAS ID
345373
Contact name
Krysia Canvin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Keele University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
There are just over 3,500 women in prison, comprising 4% of the prison population in England and Wales. Around 600 pregnant women are in prison each year and over half of female prisoners are mothers. A significant proportion of women in prison are therefore likely to be within the perinatal period which refers to the duration of pregnancy and two years after. Mental health difficulties are significantly overrepresented within this group, including heightened risk of developing poor perinatal mental health. Despite this, there are gaps in services, particularly around the availability of appropriate and evidence-based psychological interventions.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a form of talking therapy that helps people respond to self-criticism with self-compassion. While CFT has been shown to be effective in the context of perinatal mental health and within the forensic settings, there is a lack of evidence regarding its use with perinatal women in prison. This study will explore the acceptability of CFT and assess outcomes for perinatal women in prison using mixed methods. We will:
1: Identify and synthesise existing literature on the provision of CFT with perinatal women in a prison setting using a scoping review.
2: Explore how CFT is adapted and delivered in the prison setting using qualitative interviews with practitioners and women receiving the intervention.
3: Assess compassion-related and mental health outcomes at baseline and follow-up using self-reported questionnaires.Patient and public involvement in this study is led by two co-investigators with lived experience of imprisonment. They have convened a lived experience group to provide advice throughout the study. The study findings will indicate how acceptable, feasible and appropriate CFT is for perinatal women in the prison setting. The findings will also indicate whether CFT has the potential to improve clinical outcomes, and if a larger study is required and feasible.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
25/WA/0086
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion