Application of a Positive Psychology Program for the Development of Emotional Skills in Prison

Application of a Positive Psychology Program for the Development of Emotional Skills in Prison : Feasibility Study

Studies show that emotional competence plays a significant role in psychological and physical health, and that programs aimed at their development are effective. Can a positive psychology program aimed at the development of emotional competence be implemented as part of care in lieu of deprivation of liberty? The investigators hypothesize the interest and possibility of implementing an emotional skills development program in the specific context of custodial care.

The main expected outcome of this study is the identification of necessary adaptations of the emotional skills development program of Kotsou, I. et al (2011) for its implementation in remand homes.

The expected secondary outcome is the identification of the interest of emotional skills development program (in prison) regarding :

• Therapeutic support for patients meeting the criteria for borderline personality disorder
• Participant satisfaction
• The development of emotional skills

Inclusion criteria:

• Meet the criteria for borderline personality disorder (DSM-V),
• Interest in the issue of emotional skills development,
• Comprehension and use of the French language adapted to the study,
• Disposition to group practice,
• Attentive disposition allowing to participate in a therapeutic activity for 3 hours.
• Psychological/psychiatrical follow-up at the Health Unit of the Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone prison

Exclusion criteria:

• Minor patients
• Releasable before July 2021,
• Decompensated psychiatric disorders,
• Patient in withdrawal syndrome.