Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Effects of Mindfulness Training on Emotional Health in Chinese Long-Term Male Prison Inmates

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Mindfulness Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Long-term imprisonment can cause severe emotional problems, which in turn can trigger behavioral problems, self-harm, and suicide. Mindfulness-based intervention can enhance emotional health. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week mindfulness training program on the emotional health of long-term male Chinese prison inmates. Forty long-term male prisoners completed a pretest and posttest, with 19 in the mindfulness training group and 21 in the waitlist control group. The treatment group showed a significant improvement in mindfulness level, anxiety, depression, tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, confusion-bewilderment, and total mood disturbance. Implications and limitations of this study were discussed. These results support the use of a mindfulness-based intervention to enhance the emotional health of long-term male prison inmates.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albrecht, R. R., & Ewing, S. J. (1989). Standardizing the administration of the Profile of Mood States (POMS): development of alternative word lists. Journal of Personality Assessment, 53, 31–39. doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa5301_4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: a conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10, 125–143. doi:10.1093/clipsy.bpg015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13, 27–45. doi:10.1177/1073191105283504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003). The benefits of being present: mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 822–848. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C., Li, C., Wang, H., Ou, J. J., Zhou, J. S., & Wang, X. P. (2014). Cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce overt aggression behavior in Chinese young male violent offenders. Aggressive Behavior, 40, 329–336. doi:10.1002/ab.21521.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X. J., Hannibal, N., & Gold, C. (2015). Randomized trial of group music therapy with Chinese prisoners impact on anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. doi:10.1177/0306624X15572795.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dai, C., & Sun, X. (2007). A study on the implicit aggressiveness of prisoners. Psychological Science, 30, 955–957.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng, Y. Q., Liu, X. H., Rodriguez, M. A., & Xia, C. Y. (2011). The five facet mindfulness questionnaire: psychometric properties of the Chinese version. Mindfulness, 2, 123–128. doi:10.1007/s12671-011-0050-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edens, J. F., Kelley, S. E., Lilienfeld, S. O., Skeem, J. L., & Douglas, K. S. (2015). DSM-5 antisocial personality disorder: predictive validity in a prison sample. Law and Human Behavior, 39, 123–129. doi:10.1037/lhb0000105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fazel, S., & Danesh, J. (2002). Serious mental disorder in 23 000 prisoners: a systematic review of 62 surveys. The Lancet, 359, 545–550. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(02)07740-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fazel, S., & Seewald, K. (2012). Severe mental illness in 33 588 prisoners worldwide: systematic review and meta-regression analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 200, 364–373. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.111.096370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, C., Assmus, J., Hjørnevik, K., Qvale, L. G., Brown, F. K., Hansen, A. L., … & Stige, B. (2014). Music therapy for prisoners pilot randomized controlled trial and implications for evaluating psychosocial interventions. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 58, 1520–1539. doi: 10.1177/0306624X13498693.

  • Grossman, P., Kappos, L., Gensicke, H., D’souza, M., Mohr, D. C., Penner, I. K., & Steiner, C. (2010). MS quality of life, depression, and fatigue improve after mindfulness training: a randomized trial. Neurology, 75, 1141–1149. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181f4d80d.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Heppner, W. L., Kernis, M. H., Lakey, C. E., Campbell, W. K., Goldman, B. M., Davis, P. J., & Cascio, E. V. (2008). Mindfulness as a means of reducing aggressive behavior: dispositional and situational evidence. Aggressive Behavior, 34(5), 486–496. doi:10.1002/ab.20258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Himelstein, S., Hastings, A., Shapiro, S., & Heery, M. (2012a). A qualitative investigation of the experience of a mindfulness‐based intervention with incarcerated adolescents. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 17, 231–237. doi:10.1111/j.1475-3588.2011.00647.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Himelstein, S., Hastings, A., Shapiro, S., & Heery, M. (2012b). Mindfulness training for self-regulation and stress with incarcerated youth: a pilot study. Probation Journal, 59, 151–165. doi:10.1177/0264550512438256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: a meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78, 169–183. doi:10.1037/a0018555.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Iversen, V. C., Sam, D. L., & Helvik, A. S. (2014). Psychological distress and perceived health in inmates in Norwegian prisons. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 42, 171–176. doi:10.1177/1403494813505728.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J. E., & Zlotnick, C. (2012). Pilot study of treatment for major depression among women prisoners with substance use disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 46, 1174–1183. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.05.007.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. New York: Delta Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1993). Mindfulness meditation: health benefits of an ancient Buddhist practice. In D. Goleman & J. Gurin (Eds.), Mind/body medicine (pp. 259–275). Yonkers, NY: Consumer Reports Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness‐based interventions in context: past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. doi:10.1093/clipsy/bpg016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khodayarifard, M., Shokoohi-Yekta, M., & Hamot, G. E. (2010). Effects of individual and group cognitive-behavioral therapy for male prisoners in Iran. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 54, 743–755. doi:10.1177/0306624X09344840.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khoury, B., Lecomte, T., Fortin, G., Masse, M., Therien, P., Bouchard, V., Chapleau, M.-A., Paquin, K., & Hofmann, S. G. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy: a comprehensive meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33, 763–771. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2013.05.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Landauer, T. (1997). Behavior Research Methods in HCI. In: Helander, M. (et al.) (eds.) Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction, 2nd edition, Amsterdam: Elsevier, p. 203–228.

  • Lee, K. H., Bowen, S., & An-Fu, B. (2011). Psychosocial outcomes of mindfulness-based relapse prevention in incarcerated substance abusers in Taiwan: a preliminary study. Journal of Substance Use, 16, 476–483. doi:10.3109/14659891.2010.505999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leigh-Hunt, N., & Perry, A. (2015). A systematic review of interventions for anxiety, depression, and PTSD in adult offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 59, 701–725. doi:10.1177/0306624X13519241.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lipsey, M. W., & Cullen, F. T. (2007). The effectiveness of correctional rehabilitation: a review of systematic reviews. Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 3, 297–320. doi:10.1146/annurev.lawsocsci.3.081806.112833.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., Dai, Z., Tang, M., Chen, K., Hu, L., & Wang, A. (1994). The factor analysis of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) among medical Students. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2, 151–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., Han, K., & Xu, W. (2011). Effectiveness of mindfulness- based cognitive behavioral therapy on patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 25, 915–920. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-6729.2011.12.007.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., Xu, W., Wang, Y., & Liu, H. (2013). Effect of mindfulness training on subjective well-being: a six-week randomized controlled trial. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 27, 597–601. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-6729.2013.08.008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maden, A., Chamberlain, S., & Gunn, J. (2000). Deliberate self‐harm in sentenced male prisoners in England and Wales: some ethnic factors. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 10, 199–204. doi:10.1002/cbm.357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radeloff, D., Lempp, T., Herrmann, E., Kettner, M., Bennefeld-Kersten, K., & Freitag, C. M. (2014). National total survey of German adolescent suicide in prison. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 24, 219–225. doi:10.1007/s00787-014-0568-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenzweig, S., Reibel, D. K., Greeson, J. M., Brainard, G. C., & Hojat, M. (2003). Mindfulness-based stress reduction lowers psychological distress in medical students. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 15, 88–92. doi:10.1207/S15328015TLM1502_03.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Samuelson, M., Carmody, J., Kabat-Zinn, J., & Bratt, M. A. (2007). Mindfulness-based stress reduction in Massachusetts correctional facilities. The Prison Journal, 87, 254–268. doi:10.1177/0032885507303753.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: a new approach to preventing relapse. New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, Y., Huang, M., Shen, J., He, Q., Xue, T., & Shi, Y. (2007). An investigation of mentality and relative factors in prisoners of Baoshan Jail. Sichuan Mental Health, 20, 205–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shonin, E., Van Gordon, W., Slade, K., & Griffiths, M. D. (2013). Mindfulness and other Buddhist-derived interventions in correctional settings: a systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 18, 365–372. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2013.01.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao, M., & Gao, J. F. (1994). Reliability and validity of Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 5, 301–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teasdale, J. D., Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., Ridgeway, V. A., Soulsby, J. M., & Lau, M. A. (2000). Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 615–623. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.68.4.615.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Unver, Y., Yuce, M., Bayram, N., & Bilgel, N. (2013). Prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and anger in Turkish prisoners. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 58, 1210–1218. doi:10.1111/1556-4029.12142.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Lin, W., Chen, Z., Cui, J., & Liu, J. (2000). POMS for use in China. Chinese Journal of Psychology, 32, 110–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, J. I., Burnette, M., South, S. C., Chauhan, P., Bale, R., & Friend, R. (2002). Personality disorders and violence among female prison inmates. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 30, 502–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wen, F., Qiu, C., Lu, H., Meng, Y., Liu, X., Lai, L., … & Zhang, W. (2015). Efficacy of Williams Life Skills Training on mental status and coping style of male juvenile delinquents. Chinese Journal of Mental Health, 29, 559–560. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-6729.2015.07.016.

  • Xu, W., & Liu, X. (2013). Mindfulness training enhances individual’s well-being: a review. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 27, 197–202. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-6729.2013.03.008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, W., Wang, Y., & Liu, X. (2015). Effectiveness of 8-week mindfulness training improving negative emotions. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 29, 497–502. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-6729.2015.07.004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zamble, E., & Porporino, F. (1990). Coping, imprisonment, and rehabilitation some data and their implications. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 17, 53–70. doi:10.1177/0093854890017001005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, X., & Zhao, S. (2009). Investigation of psychological health status in male prisoners. Journal of Heilongjiang College of Education, 28, 81–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zung, W. W. (1965). A self-rating depression scale. Archives of General Psychiatry, 12, 63–70. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1965.01720310065008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zung, W. W. (1971). A rating instrument for anxiety disorders. Psychosomatics, 12, 371–379. doi:10.1016/S0033-3182(71)71479-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Project 31271114). The authors thank Qian Zhang and Yuzheng Wang for their invaluable assistance in the statistical analysis and manuscript revision for this study. The authors would also thank Leigh Andrews for the proofreading work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Department of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Xu, Kun Jia & Xinghua Liu

  2. School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Xu

  3. Boston University, Boston, USA

    Stefan G. Hofmann

Authors
  1. Wei Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kun Jia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xinghua Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Stefan G. Hofmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xinghua Liu.

Ethics declarations

The study received ethical approval from the Academic Committee of the Department of Psychology, College of Education, Capital Normal University. No adverse events were reported in this study.

Funding

This study was funded by the National Science Foundation of China (Project 31271114).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xu, W., Jia, K., Liu, X. et al. The Effects of Mindfulness Training on Emotional Health in Chinese Long-Term Male Prison Inmates. Mindfulness 7, 1044–1051 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0540-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0540-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation