Past Research - Hillcrest
Sam Himelstein – formerly incarcerated youth, MBA Program Manager, and Research Advisory Council member – completed a pilot project at the San Mateo County Youth Services Center in 2009 that specifically measured the effects of MBA’s new 2008 curriculum. The study investigated the effects of MBA’s 10-week mindfulness-based intervention on self reported mindfulness, impulsiveness, perceived stress, and healthy self-regulation in a group of 32 incarcerated youth. Thirty-two participants completed questionnaires pre and post intervention. Additionally, 23 participants were interviewed upon completion of the intervention.
A mixed-method triangulation model was used, and quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed separately, but weighted equally. A two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences between two 10-week cycles (cycle one: n = 14, cycle two: n = 18) on pretest questionnaire data. Paired t-tests revealed a significant decrease (p < .05) in perceived stress and a significant increase (p < .001) in healthy self-regulation from pre to posttesting.
Analysis of the qualitative data revealed five major clusters of 19 unique themes. The first was an increase in subjective well-being, which included increases in relaxation, self-esteem, and sleep, and a decrease in stress. The second was an increase in self-regulation, which included an increase in emotional, cognitive, and behavioral regulation. The third was an increase in awareness, which included increases in self-contemplation, emotional, cognitive, physical, and present-moment awareness. The fourth was positive experiences related to the group context, which included expression, other perspective, common experiences, relational development, and new experiences. This fifth was comprised of one major theme: an accepting attitude toward the treatment intervention. Results suggest that mindfulness-based interventions for incarcerated youth may mitigate the numerous psychological stressors associated with incarcerated living.
Image: MBA Program Manager Sam Himelstein teaching at Hillcrest Juvenile Hall, San Mateo County, Spring 2010.
