Our Research with Pacific University

Posted by Anna Debenham, September 16, 2019

When we met with Coffee Creek Correctional Facility 2 years ago, they told us we would need to do a research project to show the efficacy of our program. We took that to heart and formed a partnership with the PhD professor, Dr Sarah Bowen, from the Psychology Department at Pacific University and the Department of Corrections research team. It took about a year for the IRB to be approved and get on our way. The research documents the impacts and benefits of this work on reducing recidivism and impacting lives of the people who come through our program.

We have now completed our first year of data collection and I was given a fast track education on the world of research. I won’t be giving up my day job let me tell you! I had no idea how much is involved and I’m so glad we’re doing it.  

The preliminary data shows what we’re doing is working. From pre to post-intervention we found a significant reduction in Anger, Anxiety and hopelessness, as well as significant increases in emotion regulation and psychological flexibility. One of our PhD students, Debesh Malik, recently spoke of our research at a conference called Changing Perspectives in Prison: Feasibility and acceptability of Three Principles Correctional Counseling. Oral Presentation. He received a glowing reception for his presentation.

We look forward to sharing more of the research data with you as it becomes available. For now here is me talking a bit about it on the Stop Suffering podcast.