An Evaluation of an Adapted STEPPS Group Within Forensic Services
- Conditions
- Personality Disorder
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Adapting STEPPS within forensic inpatient services.
- Registration Number
- NCT02601391
- Lead Sponsor
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine how effective the STEPPS-HI group is at improving emotional regulation skills in those with identified difficulties in this area within forensic inpatient services. In addition, to explore whether there is increased acceptability of the adapted STEPPS group (STEPPS-HI) for this client group.
- Detailed Description
Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) is a manualised group programme for people primarily with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Although, STEPPS groups have been run within prisons in USA, it has been less formally evaluated within forensic psychiatric settings except for Pipon-Young \& Cole (2012). Taking the learning from these studies into account, significant adaptations to the current STEPPS manual are needed to increase the acceptability and applicability of the group within forensic settings.
Following the adaption of the STEPPS manual for a forensic inpatient population (STEPPS HI), this research aims to investigate how effective the group is at improving emotional regulation skills in those with identified difficulties in the area as well as whether there is increased acceptability of the adapted group for the participants. The outcome of the research is intended to provide feedback on the adaption of the STEPPS manual and also an evaluation of the revised programme.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- WITHDRAWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- Not specified
- 18 years or older.
- To give informed consent to participate in the study.
- Currently a resident in a low or medium secure unit.
- Has been diagnosed as meeting DSM-IV criteria for a personality disorder at some stage in their mental health history.
- Has identified difficulties with emotional regulation.
- Be willing and have suitable abilities to participate in a group.
- To be assessed by the clinical team as sufficiently psychologically robust to participate in the group and the research.
- Psychiatric/psychological or any other difficulties that would mean that participants could not give informed consent.
- Intellectual/cognitive impairment which prohibits participants ability to consent or fully comprehend the study or study materials.
- Non-English speakers as there is no provision for interpreters.
- Unable to manage a group environment due to risk to self and others including bullying and violence (this will be assessed by the clinical and STEPPS-HI facilitation team.
- No evidence of emotional regulation difficulties.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description STEPPS within forensic services. Adapting STEPPS within forensic inpatient services. Forensic inpatients attend the STEPPS-HI group. Consent will be obtained. Pre and post group psychometric questionnaires will be completed as well as each service user attending a short semi-structured interview following the conclusion of the group . Primary nurse will fill in pre and post group questionnaires. Facilitators will complete short feedback forms each session and attend a focus group upon completion. Psychology Assistants/Interns will collect records of self harm and violence/aggressive incidents for each service user as well as records of nursing observation level and leave status taken.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method To assess change from baseline (start of group) on the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R), reassessing at end of group (26 weeks later). Assess at baseline (start of group) and reassess end of group (26 weeks later) To assess change from baseline (start of group) on the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R), reassessing at end of group (26 weeks later).
To assess change from baseline (start of group) on the Zanarini Rating Scale for Borderline Personality Disorder, reassessing at end of group (26 weeks later). Assess at baseline (start of group) and reassess end of group (26 weeks later) To assess change from baseline (start of group) on the Zanarini Rating Scale
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS: Yudofsky, J. M. Silver, W. Jackson, J. Endicott, & D. W. Williams, 1986). Assess at baseline (start of group) and reassess end of group (26 weeks later) Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS: Yudofsky, J. M. Silver, W. Jackson, J. Endicott, \& D. W. Williams, 1986).
Circumplex of Interpersonal Relationships in Closed Living Environments (CIRCLE; Blackburn & Renwick, 1996). Assess at baseline (start of group) and reassess end of group (26 weeks later) Circumplex of Interpersonal Relationships in Closed Living Environments
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Elizabeth Collins
🇬🇧Hellingly, East Sussex, United Kingdom