NCJ Number
58817
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1979) Pages: 107-117
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A SAMPLE OF 236 YOUNG ADULT MALE INMATES WERE TAUGHT 1 OF 4 THERAPY TECHNIQUES FOR DEALING WITH STRESS. ONLY THE THERAPY WHICH ENHANCED SELF-CONCEPT REDUCED BLOOD PRESSURE AND PULSE RESPONSE TO STRESS.
Abstract
THE VOLUNTEERS WERE SOLICITED OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD FROM MEN ADMITTED TO THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, TALLAHASSEE, FLA. THE STRESS IN THE ADMITTEDLY ARTIFICIAL SITUATION CONSISTED OF A LOUD NOISE COUPLED WITH AN IRRITABLE PERSON. AUTONOMIC REACTIONS MEASURED WERE BLOOD PRESSURE, FINGER PULSE, AND PERSPIRATION (MEASURED WITH GALVANIC SKIN RESPONSE ELECTRODES). AFTER BASELINE REACTION DATA WERE OBTAINED, THE SUBJECTS LISTENED TO ONE OF FOUR TAPE RECORDINGS WHICH TAUGHT (1) RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, (2) INSIGHT THERAPY TECHNIQUES, (3) RATIONAL PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES, OR (4) SELF-CONCEPT ENHANCEMENT. THERE WAS ALSO A PLACEBO GROUP AND A CONTROL GROUP. THE TAPES HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON BODILY REACTIONS EXCEPT FOR THOSE TEACHING SELF-CONCEPT TECHNIQUES. BLOOD PRESSURE AND FINGER PULSE REACTIONS OF THE SELF-CONCEPT GROUP WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN BASELINE LEVELS AND ALSO LOWER THAN THE LEVELS FOR THE OTHER GROUPS. IF RECIDIVISM IS RELATED TO THE INABILITY TO CONTROL ONES REACTION TO STRESS IN THE OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT, THEN THE ENFORCED ACQUIESCENCE, PASSIVITY, ANXIETY, AND HOPELESSNESS OF THE 'PRISON SYNDROME' ARE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, PRISON THERAPY PROGRAMS SHOULD FOCUS ON INCREASED SELF-ESTEEM. STUDY RESULTS, NOTES, AND REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)