Therapeutic community residency and emotional management of female drug users

Abstract

Purpose

The current study focused on five female offenders who completed the only female‐specific therapeutic community (TC) for drug addiction in the UK prison system. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect that such residency had on individuals' emotional management skills compared to when they were active drug users.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on a qualitative design, and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to produce idiographic results.

Findings

Results suggested that before TC residency all participants displayed problematic emotional management skills. However, during TC residency individuals witnessed elements of emotional healing and increased emotion connection. Additionally improvements were noted in emotional consideration, emotional communication, outward emotional displays and self‐worth.

Originality/value

Further developments in TC treatment are suggested concerning treatment length and further development of individuals' independent emotional management strategies.

Citation

Colley, E. and Blackwell‐Young, J. (2012), "Therapeutic community residency and emotional management of female drug users", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 27-38. https://doi.org/10.1108/09641861211286302