Evaluation of a transition intervention in a secure setting
| Pages | 158-166 |
| Date | 13 May 2019 |
| Published date | 13 May 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-03-2019-0008 |
| Author | Kim Liddiard,Sara Louise Morgan,Bronwen Elizabeth Lesley Davies |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Evaluation of a transition intervention
in a secure setting
Kim Liddiard, Sara Louise Morgan and Bronwen Elizabeth Lesley Davies
Abstract
Purpose –Transitioning is an inevitable part of being in secure settings, yet little research exists focussing on
the experiences of individuals and what interventions might help them to achieve optimal transitions. This
seems surprising as the very people who find themselves in secure settings often have attachment difficulties,
maladaptive coping strategies and complex mental health needs, which are the factors considered most
likely to disadvantage individuals when transitioning. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach –This study used a repeated design to explore the effectiveness of a
person-centred intervention with 18 transitioning individuals in a medium-secure hospital. Three self-report
questionnaires were used to capture data relating to anxiety, coping strategies and how individualsfeel about
the transition pre- and post-intervention. Whole data sets were achieved in 16 cases.
Findings –Followingthe transition intervention,individuals felt more at ease withthe transition ahead of them,
theiruse of adaptive coping strategieshad significantlyincreased and their trait anxietyhad significantlylowered.
Research limitations/implications –This study revealed that using a person-centred intervention with
transitioning individuals was helpful. However, the study was not able to capture the impact of this
intervention over time.
Practical implications –This studyhighlights the importance of attending to how individualsexperience the
transition,alongside offeringinterventions designedto help them adjust and cope toachieve optimal transitions.
Originality/value –Very little is known about what interventions might help individuals achieve a successful
transition. Therefore, the findings offer new and significant contributions to this under-researched area.
Keywords Coping, Intervention, Attachment, Forensic, Secure settings, Transition
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
A transition is thepsychological process individualsgo through when coming to terms witha new
situation. It is generally accepted that individuals will go through many transitions during their
lifetime including changes in career, identity and relationships which can cause otherwise
well-functioning adults to seek professional help (Levinson, 1986). One of the biggest of these for
individuals with mental health problems is a change in their living environment alongside their
relationships(e.g. ward moves, discharge from hospital). Such transitions may be experienced as
an overwhelmingand stressful time for individualsas they are faced with new challengesthat they
may not be well equippedto deal with. Poorly managed transitionsand inadequate preparationfor
the individualmay result in worsening mental health, self-harmingbehaviour, setbacks in progress
or even re-admission to hospital. For example, evidence suggests that suicide risk is significantly
higher in the period immediately following discharge from hospital (King et al., 2001). Whilst
transition from hospital may be seen as a positive move for individuals by professionals, to the
individual themselves, it might trigger a rupture of attachments which, inturn, promotes feelings of
abandonment, rejection and insecurity leading to relapse (Seager, 2014).
Within the literature, several theories and models exist helping to a provide way of understanding
the transition process. The social interaction model (Schlossberg, 1984) characterises a
transition in terms of its type, context and impact revealing a transition to comprise of multiple
variants including: the way a person appraises the transition event; the nature of the transition
Received 13 March 2019
Revised 11 April 2019
Accepted 14 April 2019
Kim Liddiard is based at
Caswell Clinic, Bridgend, UK.
Sara Louise Morgan is based at
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg
University Health Board,
Bridgend, UK.
Bronwen Elizabeth Lesley Davies
is based at Aneurin Bevan
University Health Board,
Cwmbran, UK.
PAGE158
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JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
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VOL. 21 NO. 2 2019, pp. 158-166, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794 DOI 10.1108/JFP-03-2019-0008
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