Outcomes of psychological therapies for prisoners with mental health problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Prisoners worldwide have substantial mental health needs, but the efficacy of psychological therapy in prisons is unknown. We aimed to systematically review psychological therapies with mental health outcomes in prisoners and qualitatively summarize difficulties in conducting randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Method

We systematically identified RCTs of psychological therapies with mental health outcomes in prisoners (37 studies). Effect sizes were calculated and meta-analyzed. Eligible studies were assessed for quality. Subgroup and metaregression analyses were conducted to examine sources of between-study heterogeneity. Thematic analysis reviewed difficulties in conducting prison RCTs.

Results

In 37 identified studies, psychological therapies showed a medi

SUBMITTER: Yoon IA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5518650 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature