Online Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program for Formerly Incarcerated and Other Women Survivors of Violence: Pandemic-Era Results from This Virtual Trauma-Informed Process

Background and purpose: This study sought to explore the efficacy of an online modified trauma-informed MBSR-based intervention with women survivors of interpersonal violence, sex work, substance use, and/or incarceration on improving distress tolerance, locus of control, symptoms of PTSD, somatic complaints, and resilience. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (Kabat-Zinn, 2005; Kabat-Zinn, 1982), originally designed for those dealing with chronic health conditions, has been modified to meet the needs of individuals with a variety of issues, including those who self identify as survivors of interpersonal violence (Dutton, et al, 2013; Kelly, 2015; Kelly & Garland, 2016; Kimbrough, et al, 2010; Smith, 2009).

The trauma-informed MBSR model proposed for this study has already been implemented with women in and out of prison, and outcomes in the community have been measured in previous studies (Kelly, 2015; Kelly & Garland, 2016). To this point the effectiveness of the intervention in an online setting had not been measured empirically, and this study sought to do just this as we pivoted to the online setting in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current project was a single experimental group trial of the model for women who self-identified as survivors of IPV, incarceration, or sex work. This project sought to learn the impact of an online iteration of this model for women living in the community and dealing with stressors related to past traumatization.

Methods: A mixed-method study design with a single experimental group was used to assess preliminary efficacy of the trauma-informed MBSR intervention for a total of 25 self-identified female survivors of interpersonal violence (IPV), sex work, substance use, and/or incarceration. Eligible participants completed pre and post intervention questionnaires which included measures of adverse life events, PTSD, distress tolerance, somatic complaints, resilience, and locus of control. A paired sample t-test was used to compute changes between pre- and post-intervention measures.

Results: Correlations between change scores were examined and found marked improvements in global scores of functioning and decreases in scores for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Correlations between change scores were examined and showed interesting correlations between psychometric measures as well.

Conclusions and implications: Study findings indicate that female survivors of violence exhibited decreased negative psychological symptoms and increased ability to tolerate stress and feel an increased sense of control following participation in an 8-week virtual trauma-informed MBSR course. Additionally, participants appeared willing to engage in mindfulness practices at home between sessions. Results suggest that an online version of this course is a feasible option for those unable to attend in person versions, and can be offered for those living in areas where an in person option is not possible. This is especially important as we consider those potentially living in rural areas, with limited access to programming, or who are unlikely to attend in person courses due to wider environmental or public health concerns. Also of note is the found feasibility of this model for those from varying racial and class backgrounds, and with a history of surviving incarceration, substance use, and sex work.