ABSTRACT

Substance abuse can be associated with difficulties in emotion regulation. It has been proposed that advantageous emotion regulation is positively associated with heart rate variability , and that slow-paced breathing can increase values of heart rate variability. We explored the feasibility of delivering a six-week, slow-paced breathing intervention in a prison setting, and investigated the effects of the intervention on indices of emotion regulation. The final sample consisted of seven male prisoners with histories of illicit substance and alcohol abuse who were identified as presenting with difficulties in emotion regulation. During the instructed breathing sessions, a device provided a visual aid to encourage a cycle of breathing that corresponds to six breaths per minute (i.e., 0.1 Hz). Changes in scores for psychometric measures were analysed with the Reliable and Clinically Significant Change Statistic. Most participants reported improvements in scores for depression, anxiety, and stress. A qualitative account of interviews with participants and factors influencing successful delivery of sessions was also included for the purposes of triangulation and to inform on feasibility. It is concluded that further evaluation of the intervention is feasible, and that the intervention offers promise for improving emotion regulation in offenders with histories of substance use difficulties.

摘要

药物滥用可能与情绪调节困难有关。已经提出，有利的情绪调节与心率变异性正相关，并且慢节奏的呼吸可以增加心率变异性的值。我们探讨了在监狱环境中进行为期六周的慢节奏呼吸干预的可行性，并研究了干预对情绪调节指数的影响。最终样本包括七名具有非法药物和酒精滥用史的男性囚犯，他们被确定在情绪调节方面存在困难。在指令的呼吸过程中，设备提供了视觉辅助，以鼓励对应于每分钟六次呼吸（即0.1 Hz）的呼吸周期。心理测量指标的变化通过“可靠和临床意义上的变化统计”进行了分析。大多数参与者报告了抑郁，焦虑和压力得分的提高。为了三角测量的目的和可行性的考虑，还包括对参与者访谈的定性描述以及影响会议成功进行的因素。结论是，对该干预措施进行进一步评估是可行的，并且该干预措施有望改善有吸毒史的罪犯的情绪调节。为了三角测量的目的和可行性的考虑，还包括对参与者访谈的定性描述以及影响会议成功进行的因素。结论是，对该干预措施进行进一步评估是可行的，并且该干预措施有望改善有吸毒史的罪犯的情绪调节。为了三角测量的目的和可行性的考虑，还包括对参与者访谈的定性描述以及影响会议成功进行的因素。结论是，对该干预措施进行进一步评估是可行的，并且该干预措施有望改善有吸毒史的罪犯的情绪调节。