Research Study Evaluates Feasibility of a Trauma-Informed Intervention in a County Jail
Jails in the United States hold more than half a million people daily, with more than 80% of them experiencing multiple forms of trauma in their lifetime. Research has established a strong link between trauma and multiple forms of mental and behavioral health issues, including but not limited to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and substance use disorders.
“All of these risk factors play a major role in the trajectory of someone’s current and future functioning,” said Dr. Tanya Renn, an associate professor at the FSU College of Social Work. “A critical component to processing trauma and dealing with mental and behavioral health is helping individuals develop skills to emotionally regulate and strong coping skills.”
Providing behavioral health programming and support within incarceration settings ensures that individuals involved in the criminal justice system have accessible resources and opportunities to build practical skills they can apply during and after incarceration.
A recent study led by Dr. Renn and Dr. Stephen Tripodi, along with doctoral student Lauren Herod and Dr. Laura Bedard, was published in the Research on Social Work Practice journal and explored the feasibility of implementing a trauma-based intervention in Seminole County, Florida's county jail, along with its preliminary outcomes.
The intervention called Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR), is a cognitive-behavioral intervention that literature indicates reduces PTSD, anxiety and depression in non-correctional settings.
This study expands upon previous research conducted by research team member, Dr. Tripodi, which implemented STAIR with a group of incarcerated women in a Florida prison. During this most recent study, the STAIR intervention was delivered in 12 sessions to 81 participants in the Seminole County jail.
“Results continue to be promising,” shared Dr. Tripodi about the study’s results. “Delivering an intervention like STAIR is feasible, offering an approachable way for incarcerated individuals to access behavioral health support.”
The study indicated that participants showed improvement after the interventions in their symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. “Interventions like STAIR empower individuals who are incarcerated with self-efficacy and the belief that they can cope with their traumatic experiences and emotionally regulate,” affirmed Ms. Herod. “Skills like these can help them navigate the challenging experiences they’ve faced before, during and after incarceration.”
The research team indicates that while the findings are promising for delivering interventions like STAIR in jails, larger sample sizes and randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the positive outcomes. They also cite the importance of how the interventions are delivered consistently by skilled facilitators and that materials are adapted appropriately to ensure success long-term for incarcerated individuals.
To learn more, contact Dr. Renn directly at trenn@fsu.edu.