Treating self-harm behaviors in prisons: implementation of the STEPPS program
Lorente-Català, Rosa ; Jaén, Irene (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Buscà-Huertas, Xavier ; Framis, Berta ; García-Palacios, Azucena
Resumen: Background
Improving mental health within correctional facilities, specifically to address self-harm behaviors, is a crucial endeavor. However, significant challenges arise when implementing evidence-based programs within this complex setting. Despite these hurdles, the Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) program has garnered recognition, notably in the United States, for its efficacy in tackling such issues. This study aimed to examine inmate profiles in prisons located in Catalonia, Spain, and to investigate the STEPPS program’s effectiveness and implementation process.
Method
Forty-one inmates participated in the study and completed measures covering self-harm behaviors, emotion regulation, impulsivity, mental health symptoms, and satisfaction with the intervention. Twenty-four professionals who implemented the STEPPS program completed satisfaction, normalization process, burnout, acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility measures.
Results
The results suggest that the STEPPS program significantly reduced symptoms of emotional dysregulation, motor impulsivity, and compulsive symptomatology among inmates. The intervention was well-received by professionals, and perceived as appropriate and feasible. The perception of feasibility decreased after implementation, likely due to contextual factors such as inmate and organization characteristics. Additionally, professionals remained committed to the implementation, dedicating time and effort to the process and engaging in thorough evaluations, without increasing their levels of burnout.
Conclusions
These findings deepen the understanding of self-harm behaviors in prisons, highlighting the program STEPPS as promising approach for addressing self-harm. However, improvements in the STEPPS program are still necessary to enhance its implementation in this setting.
Idioma: Inglés
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-02342-z
Año: 2025
Publicado en: BMC Psychology 13 (2025), [12 p.]
ISSN: 2050-7283
Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)
Área (Departamento): Área Psicolog.Evolut.Educac (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)
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Exportado de SIDERAL (2025-10-17-14:36:20)
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Improving mental health within correctional facilities, specifically to address self-harm behaviors, is a crucial endeavor. However, significant challenges arise when implementing evidence-based programs within this complex setting. Despite these hurdles, the Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) program has garnered recognition, notably in the United States, for its efficacy in tackling such issues. This study aimed to examine inmate profiles in prisons located in Catalonia, Spain, and to investigate the STEPPS program’s effectiveness and implementation process.
Method
Forty-one inmates participated in the study and completed measures covering self-harm behaviors, emotion regulation, impulsivity, mental health symptoms, and satisfaction with the intervention. Twenty-four professionals who implemented the STEPPS program completed satisfaction, normalization process, burnout, acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility measures.
Results
The results suggest that the STEPPS program significantly reduced symptoms of emotional dysregulation, motor impulsivity, and compulsive symptomatology among inmates. The intervention was well-received by professionals, and perceived as appropriate and feasible. The perception of feasibility decreased after implementation, likely due to contextual factors such as inmate and organization characteristics. Additionally, professionals remained committed to the implementation, dedicating time and effort to the process and engaging in thorough evaluations, without increasing their levels of burnout.
Conclusions
These findings deepen the understanding of self-harm behaviors in prisons, highlighting the program STEPPS as promising approach for addressing self-harm. However, improvements in the STEPPS program are still necessary to enhance its implementation in this setting.
Idioma: Inglés
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-02342-z
Año: 2025
Publicado en: BMC Psychology 13 (2025), [12 p.]
ISSN: 2050-7283
Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)
Área (Departamento): Área Psicolog.Evolut.Educac (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)
Debe reconocer adecuadamente la autoría, proporcionar un enlace a la licencia e indicar si se han realizado cambios. Puede hacerlo de cualquier manera razonable, pero no de una manera que sugiera que tiene el apoyo del licenciador o lo recibe por el uso que hace. No puede utilizar el material para una finalidad comercial. Si remezcla, transforma o crea a partir del material, no puede difundir el material modificado.Exportado de SIDERAL (2025-10-17-14:36:20)
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Artículos > Artículos por área > Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación
Registro creado el 2025-02-14, última modificación el 2025-10-17