Increasing subjective well-being in long-term forensic rehabilitation: evaluation of well-being therapy

There is increasing awareness of the value of approaches that focus on developing human growth and potential, both within the general population and within clinical settings. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new, empirically derived, well-being intervention in a forensic setting. The intervention focused on developing goal setting and planning skills, both of which are known to be linked to well-being. Fourteen male mentally disordered offenders, detained under conditions of medium security, attended six, one-hour group sessions. There was a significant effect of treatment on well-being and symptoms of mental illness. By the end of treatment (and maintained at two-month follow-up), participants reported reduced hopelessness and negative affect and increased positive future thinking. They were also rated as presenting with fewer negative symptoms of psychosis. Participants also reported higher levels of satisfaction with life two months post-intervention compared to pre-intervention. The results support the view that developing goal setting and planning skills in mentally disordered offenders enhances well-being and impacts on symptoms of mental illness. Given the encouraging results of this preliminary investigation, future research could focus on developing well-being interventions and other positive approaches to forensic rehabilitation.