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A qualitative review and thematic synthesis of resident experiences in prison-based democratic therapeutic communities.

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Title: A qualitative review and thematic synthesis of resident experiences in prison-based democratic therapeutic communities.
Authors: Fernandes, Candida (AUTHOR), Maguire, Tessa (AUTHOR), Berthollier, Natasha (AUTHOR), Cheung, Jasmine (AUTHOR), Sivyer, Katy (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology. Aug2025, Vol. 36 Issue 4, p550-581. 32p.
Subjects: Therapeutic communities, Psychological vulnerability, Database searching, Masculinity, Qualitative research
Abstract: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis was conducted to explore residents' perspectives of prison-based democratic therapeutic communities (DTCs). This is important to inform effective treatment for residents of these communities. Five databases were searched for studies published between January 1962 and November 2023. Following screening, eleven qualitative studies were included in the review. Collectively, the review sample were 153 male residents of prison-based DTCs. Three themes were generated by thematic synthesis: (1) The Importance of Safety in the Therapeutic Environment, (2) Opening Up to Vulnerability and (3) Life Within and Beyond the DTC. Experiences were highlighted within the papers reviewed where progress in each of these areas was comprised for some residents, due to inequalities, stigma, and disconnection. Further training and awareness to support residents who experience such difficulties is needed. Interventions within prison-based DTCs to help reduce toxic masculinity and promote emotional vulnerability are also recommended. In addition, there is a need for culturally informed and adapted practices to help those from minoritized background integrate into prison-based DTC communities. Further qualitative research across UK prison-based DTC settings incorporating the voices of those participating in therapeutic communities would be beneficial to expand the generalisability and diversity of findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: A qualitative review and thematic synthesis of resident experiences in prison-based democratic therapeutic communities.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fernandes%2C+Candida%22">Fernandes, Candida</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maguire%2C+Tessa%22">Maguire, Tessa</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Berthollier%2C+Natasha%22">Berthollier, Natasha</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cheung%2C+Jasmine%22">Cheung, Jasmine</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sivyer%2C+Katy%22">Sivyer, Katy</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Forensic+Psychiatry+%26+Psychology%22">Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology</searchLink>. Aug2025, Vol. 36 Issue 4, p550-581. 32p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Therapeutic+communities%22">Therapeutic communities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+vulnerability%22">Psychological vulnerability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Database+searching%22">Database searching</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Masculinity%22">Masculinity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Qualitative+research%22">Qualitative research</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: A qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis was conducted to explore residents' perspectives of prison-based democratic therapeutic communities (DTCs). This is important to inform effective treatment for residents of these communities. Five databases were searched for studies published between January 1962 and November 2023. Following screening, eleven qualitative studies were included in the review. Collectively, the review sample were 153 male residents of prison-based DTCs. Three themes were generated by thematic synthesis: (1) The Importance of Safety in the Therapeutic Environment, (2) Opening Up to Vulnerability and (3) Life Within and Beyond the DTC. Experiences were highlighted within the papers reviewed where progress in each of these areas was comprised for some residents, due to inequalities, stigma, and disconnection. Further training and awareness to support residents who experience such difficulties is needed. Interventions within prison-based DTCs to help reduce toxic masculinity and promote emotional vulnerability are also recommended. In addition, there is a need for culturally informed and adapted practices to help those from minoritized background integrate into prison-based DTC communities. Further qualitative research across UK prison-based DTC settings incorporating the voices of those participating in therapeutic communities would be beneficial to expand the generalisability and diversity of findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=186671579
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.1080/14789949.2025.2485122
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        Type: general
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      – SubjectFull: Database searching
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      – SubjectFull: Masculinity
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      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
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              M: 08
              Text: Aug2025
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              Y: 2025
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