Mindfulness group for a forensic learning disability population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Northern Ireland perspective: The effectiveness of delivering the mindfulness module from the "I can feel good" intervention as a 12-week group to improve psychological wellbeing and reduce dynamic risk in a community forensic learning disability population.
IRAS ID
303297
Contact name
Kristina Hamilton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 24 days
Research summary
Forensic populations experience high rates of mental health problems and have higher rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs have been linked to criminogenic needs (dynamic risk factors linked to the likelihood of reoffending) and common criminogenic needs are impulsivity and negative affect dysregulation. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are effective at increasing an individual’s tolerance of unpleasant emotions and can help individuals develop more adaptive coping strategies.
This research is concerned with addressing whether a twelve week mindfulness-based intervention is effective in improving psychological wellbeing and reducing dynamic risk for forensic learning disability clients in a community setting. This will be the first research of its kind within Northern Ireland (NI) to offer an intervention based solely around mindfulness in a community forensic team. Research has shown that mindfulness-based interventions are clinically effective at reducing depression, anxiety and improving quality of life. Individuals with intellectual disabilities are thought to respond well to this type of intervention, as it relies less on the ability to cognitively restructure a situation but helps individuals develop the skills necessary to support emotion regulation.
Individuals eligible for this study will be open to the community forensic learning disability team in Northern Ireland. Individuals must have a mild to moderate learning disability to be eligible for this therapeutic study and have capacity to consent. The twelve week intervention will be operated in conjunction with a private sector organisation. Including individual orientation, pre and post assessments and the therapeutic group itself, the study will last sixteen weeks in total.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
22/NI/0061
Date of REC Opinion
3 May 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion