This study examined the effectiveness with incarcerated women of Seeking Safety (SS), an empirically supported cognitive behavioral manualized treatment for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders.
Recent guidelines for incarcerated women's programming have called for interventions that address offenders' traumatic experiences, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use in an integrated manner. In addressing this issue, the current study examined the effectiveness of SS with 59 incarcerated women compared with 55 incarcerated women on a waitlist for the program. The study found that participants in SS demonstrated greater symptom improvement in PTSD and depression, as well as improved interpersonal functioning and coping compared to waitlisted offenders. These findings provide preliminary support for the use of this intervention with incarcerated women. (publisher abstract modified)