Getting the most from your treatment: Motivating engagement in women in medium secure forensic settings

Abstract

BackgroundThe engagement of service users in their treatment within secure settings is a priority, in terms of outcome of treatment, recidivism, and cost efficiency. The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a treatment preparatory group for women newly admitted to a medium secure setting.MethodA matched subject pre-test-post-test design was used to evaluate a group program utilising cognitive behavioural and psycho-education components with the aim of developing service users engagement in treatment and overall coping strategies.ResultsTreatment completers (N=25) were matched with a group of women who did not participate in the program (N=25). Clinically significant changes in treatment completers were apparent on ratings of treatment readiness, participation in treatment, hope, self-efficacy, insight and interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, completers were found to attend more therapy sessions post group, compared with those who did not engage in the program, and were rated as having key strengths in terms of insight, attitudes, relationships, coping and treatability.ConclusionA treatment preparatory group that focused on psycho-education, orientation to therapy and coping skills was instrumental in motivating engagement in women newly admitted to medium secure care.