title: Evaluation of treatment responsivity in a psychopathic prison treatment sample

authors: Champion, Michelle Elizabeth

subjects: psychopathy

abstract: Although punishment still dominates the criminal justice system, the progression of research on offending and imprisonment has led to a general consensus that rehabilitation programmes are the appropriate method to effectively reduce both recidivism and prison populations. Hence, many effective offender treatment programmes have been developed. This thesis evaluated phase one of a 10 month pilot treatment programme which used the theories and principles of effective programming to develop an effective programme for male high risk violent offenders assessed with elevated psychopathic personality (High Risk Personality Programme; HRPP), a population of offenders that is often regarded as treatment resistant. Specifically, phase one of the HRPP was designed to address the participants’ responsivity barriers (namely, antisocial interpersonal style) in order to increase self-efficacy, therapeutic alliance, treatability, and readiness, and to reduce perceived coercion in order to aid engagement and success in treatment. A sample of 11 male HRPP inmates had data collected before and after their 17-week first phase of the 10 month three-phase programme. Treatment contact comprised four sessions per week, including three group sessions of 2.5 hours, and 1 individual session of one hour, as well as a two-hour group cultural session that focused on Maori cultural identity (10 of the 11 men were Maori). The battery of tests employed included the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire; the responsivity and readiness scales of the Treatment Readiness Responsivity and Gain Scale; the Corrections Victoria Treatment Readiness Questionnaire, the Paulhus Deception Scale, and the therapist and client versions of the Working Alliance Inventory Short Form, the Perceived Coercion Scale, and an evaluation questionnaire. Demographic data was also collected. The results indicated that the majority of the participants came to the intervention ready or motivated to change. Perceived coercion remained low throughout the programme, representing the participant’s voluntary status. On average participants’ levels of self-efficacy and treatability (except callousness) improved significantly over the course of the treatment. Differing levels of improvement were found for the client and therapist perspective of the therapeutic alliance, indicating they interpreted the alliance differently. Participants with high PCL-R factor one scores showed a decrease in coercion, compared to an increase by their counterparts with low PCL-R factor one scores. Participants with high PCL-R factor one scores also had higher overall scores on the CVTRQ readiness measure, and the participant’s perspective of the therapeutic alliance. Individually, six of the treatment participants made significant improvements on at least five of the seven responsivity measures. These findings and their implications for treatment of psychopathic offenders are discussed, along with the relevance of the study’s responsivity measures, the strengths and limitations of the research project, and future research in this area.

text: Evaluation of treatment responsivity in a psychopathic prison treatment sample Although punishment still dominates the criminal justice system, the progression of research on offending and imprisonment has led to a general consensus that rehabilitation programmes are the appropriate method to effectively reduce both recidivism and prison populations. Hence, many effective offender treatment programmes have been developed. This thesis evaluated phase one of a 10 month pilot treatment programme which used the theories and principles of effective programming to develop an effective programme for male high risk violent offenders assessed with elevated psychopathic personality (High Risk Personality Programme; HRPP), a population of offenders that is often regarded as treatment resistant. Specifically, phase one of the HRPP was designed to address the participants’ responsivity barriers (namely, antisocial interpersonal style) in order to increase self-efficacy, therapeutic alliance, treatability, and readiness, and to reduce perceived coercion in order to aid engagement and success in treatment. A sample of 11 male HRPP inmates had data collected before and after their 17-week first phase of the 10 month three-phase programme. Treatment contact comprised four sessions per week, including three group sessions of 2.5 hours, and 1 individual session of one hour, as well as a two-hour group cultural session that focused on Maori cultural identity (10 of the 11 men were Maori). The battery of tests employed included the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire; the responsivity and readiness scales of the Treatment Readiness Responsivity and Gain Scale; the Corrections Victoria Treatment Readiness Questionnaire, the Paulhus Deception Scale, and the therapist and client versions of the Working Alliance Inventory Short Form, the Perceived Coercion Scale, and an evaluation questionnaire. Demographic data was also collected. The results indicated that the majority of the participants came to the intervention ready or motivated to change. Perceived coercion remained low throughout the programme, representing the participant’s voluntary status. On average participants’ levels of self-efficacy and treatability (except callousness) improved significantly over the course of the treatment. Differing levels of improvement were found for the client and therapist perspective of the therapeutic alliance, indicating they interpreted the alliance differently. Participants with high PCL-R factor one scores showed a decrease in coercion, compared to an increase by their counterparts with low PCL-R factor one scores. Participants with high PCL-R factor one scores also had higher overall scores on the CVTRQ readiness measure, and the participant’s perspective of the therapeutic alliance. Individually, six of the treatment participants made significant improvements on at least five of the seven responsivity measures. These findings and their implications for treatment of psychopathic offenders are discussed, along with the relevance of the study’s responsivity measures, the strengths and limitations of the research project, and future research in this area.

year: 2010

title: Maori & Psychology Research Unit annual report 2007

authors: Rua, Mohi

subjects: Maori and Psychology Research Unit

abstract: Annual report of the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) 2007. The unit was established in August of 1997. The unit is designed to provide a catalyst and support network for enhancing research concerning the psychological needs, aspirations, and priorities of Maori people. The MPRU is well situated to draw together skilled and experienced interdisciplinary research groups by networking and establishing working relationships with staff and students within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the University, and the wider community.

text: Maori & Psychology Research Unit annual report 2007 Annual report of the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) 2007. The unit was established in August of 1997. The unit is designed to provide a catalyst and support network for enhancing research concerning the psychological needs, aspirations, and priorities of Maori people. The MPRU is well situated to draw together skilled and experienced interdisciplinary research groups by networking and establishing working relationships with staff and students within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the University, and the wider community.

year: 2008

title: University of Waikato campus climate initial findings: Experiences of gender, sex, and sexuality diverse staff and students

authors: Brown, Juliana

abstract: Heterosexual and cisgender people have been considered the norm in universities worldwide, and in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In contrast, gender, sex, and sexuality diverse (GSSD) people are often treated as different, or not the norm. Overseas universities have been reviewing their campus 'climates' to understand the experiences of their GSSD students and staff. Research primarily from the U.S.A. shows that GSSD students at university campuses report higher rates of negative experiences (e.g. discrimination, assault) compared to heterosexual and cisgender students. As a result of these campus climate studies, universities have begun implementing initiatives to help make their campus spaces more welcoming for GSSD staff and students. Universities with more support and inclusion have a higher rate of retention, satisfaction, and academic success for GSSD people on campus.
There is limited research about campus climates in the Aotearoa/New Zealand context, including at the University of Waikato. As such, I wanted to gain an understanding of GSSD experiences on the University of Waikato campus, and to learn what (if any) initiatives GSSD people would like to see in the campus space. This report presents the initial findings of a campus climate survey that was conducted at the University of Waikato. 343 staff and students participated in the survey between the 3rd of September 2018 and 2nd of November 2018. Staff and students of any gender, sex, and sexuality who were 16 years or over were able to participate in this survey.
Overall, GSSD survey participants suggested that there were a number of opportunities for improvement at the University of Waikato. The following quote from a participant highlights a key theme that was evident throughout the survey analysis:
"I think that being treated like a person like anyone else would improve my experience."(Student)
A number of specific recommendations are given in this report based on survey participant responses, including initiatives that I intend to implement for the next stage of my PhD research.

text: University of Waikato campus climate initial findings: Experiences of gender, sex, and sexuality diverse staff and students Heterosexual and cisgender people have been considered the norm in universities worldwide, and in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In contrast, gender, sex, and sexuality diverse (GSSD) people are often treated as different, or not the norm. Overseas universities have been reviewing their campus 'climates' to understand the experiences of their GSSD students and staff. Research primarily from the U.S.A. shows that GSSD students at university campuses report higher rates of negative experiences (e.g. discrimination, assault) compared to heterosexual and cisgender students. As a result of these campus climate studies, universities have begun implementing initiatives to help make their campus spaces more welcoming for GSSD staff and students. Universities with more support and inclusion have a higher rate of retention, satisfaction, and academic success for GSSD people on campus.
There is limited research about campus climates in the Aotearoa/New Zealand context, including at the University of Waikato. As such, I wanted to gain an understanding of GSSD experiences on the University of Waikato campus, and to learn what (if any) initiatives GSSD people would like to see in the campus space. This report presents the initial findings of a campus climate survey that was conducted at the University of Waikato. 343 staff and students participated in the survey between the 3rd of September 2018 and 2nd of November 2018. Staff and students of any gender, sex, and sexuality who were 16 years or over were able to participate in this survey.
Overall, GSSD survey participants suggested that there were a number of opportunities for improvement at the University of Waikato. The following quote from a participant highlights a key theme that was evident throughout the survey analysis:
"I think that being treated like a person like anyone else would improve my experience."(Student)
A number of specific recommendations are given in this report based on survey participant responses, including initiatives that I intend to implement for the next stage of my PhD research.

year: 2020