WORSHIP III Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Women Offenders Repeat Self-Harm Intervention Pragmatic Trial (WORSHIP III)
IRAS ID
241606
Contact name
Kathryn Abel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Does prison-specific Psychodynamic Interpersonal Therapy (PIT) reduce self-harm, represent value for money and improve the lives of women who self-harm in prison?
Self-harm is an important problem for women in prison. Only 5% of prisoners are women but they carry out over 25% of prison self-harm. There are currently no specific self-harm treatments which have been properly tested in a prison environment. We have modified PIT for use with women who self-harm in prison.
In PIT, people discuss their feelings, relationships and how their past has influenced them. The aim is to find different ways of managing emotions and relationships. PIT has helped reduce suicidal thoughts and self-harm incidents in the community. It is especially helpful for those with childhood trauma, meaning it should be a well-suited therapy for women prisoners.
Over four and a half years, we shall conduct an NIHR-funded randomised controlled trial (RCT) in seven women’s prisons, comparing PIT to the treatment already available for women. In an RCT, people are allocated to the treatment or control group (not having the treatment) by chance and outcomes are compared. Therapy will be delivered by supervised trainee Clinical/Forensic Psychologists and Psychiatrists. PIT will last for 4-8, 50-minute sessions, depending on women's preferences. We are interested in whether PIT reduces self-harm incidents and its effects on other outcomes such as self-esteem and wellbeing. We are also interested in whether PIT reduces the financial costs associated with self-harm.
Nearly 9000 women pass through prison each year and approximately 30% of these women self-harm so PIT has the potential to benefit several thousand women annually. Furthermore, if benefits are sustained, this is likely to have positive effects on their families in the community. An effective treatment is also likely to have a positive effect on the wellbeing of the wider prison community.REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
18/SS/0118
Date of REC Opinion
24 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion