Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is rarely discussed in the correctional literature, but a remarkably high percentage of general population inmates suffer from this debilitating disorder. Virtually nothing is known about crimes that bring people with BPD into the criminal justice system, how people with BPD fare while incarcerated, and the treatment and criminal justice outcomes of those with BPD. Equally unknown are the factors that enhance vs. jeopardize successful post-release reintegration into the community. To reduce substance use, HIV risk, and recidivism, and to enhance post-release adjustment, this project aims capitalize on a 10 year longitudinal study of 508 general population jail inmates to: 1. Provide Clinically-Relevant Descriptive Information on Inmates with BPD regarding (a) the nature of BPD symptoms among inmates; pre-incarceration (b) substance misuse, (c) HIV risk behavior, and (d) criminal behavior; (e) adjustment during incarceration, (f) preparation for community re-entry, (g) treatment seeking and engagement associated with symptoms of BPD, and (h) post-release outcomes (e.g., substance misuse, HIV risk, recidivism) at 1, 4, and 7 years post-release. 2. Test Trajectories in BPD Symptomatology and Post Release Substance Misuse, HIV Risk, and Recidivism by (a) examining changes in symptoms of BPD over the period of incarceration and (b) the trajectory of BPD symptoms post-release, evaluating hypothesized predictors of change; (c) modeling the dynamic relationship between BPD symptoms and substance misuse over time; and by evaluating hypothesized (d) mediators and (e) moderators of the link between BPD symptoms and substance misuse and recidivism. 3. Greatly Expand Our Understanding of the Phenomenon of BPD among Men by (a) conducting an IRT analysis of the PAI BPD scales, and (b) examining gender differences in the precursors, correlates, and consequences of BPD as part of analyses for Specific Aims 1 and 2. The proposed project would disseminate information to researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to both enhance awareness and improve intervention.
The goal is to reduce several heavy burdens on society - the burden of borderline personality disorder, the burden of substance dependence, the burden of HIV infection, and the burden of crime - via detailed information regarding the needs and experiences of the many individuals with BPD who cycle in and out of the criminal justice system. Results would do much to inform more effective correctional practices and clinical interventions with this high-risk, underserved subgroup of individuals with BPD.
| Moore, Kelly E; Folk, Johanna B; Boren, Emily A et al. (2018) Pilot study of a brief dialectical behavior therapy skills group for jail inmates. Psychol Serv 15:98-108 |
| Malouf, Elizabeth T; Youman, Kerstin; Stuewig, Jeffrey et al. (2017) A Pilot RCT of a Values-Based Mindfulness Group Intervention with Jail Inmates: Evidence for Reduction in Post-Release Risk Behavior. Mindfulness (N Y) 8:603-614 |
| Tangney, June P; Folk, Johanna B; Graham, David M et al. (2016) Changes in Inmates' Substance Use and Dependence From Pre-Incarceration to One Year Post-Release. J Crim Justice 46:228-238 |
| Adams, Leah M; Stuewig, Jeffrey B; Tangney, June P (2016) Relation of borderline personality features to preincarceration HIV risk behaviors of jail inmates: Evidence for gender differences? Personal Disord 7:40-9 |
