Effectiveness of the Pennsylvania Resilience Program Training on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Women with Incarcerated Spouses

Abstract

Declining levels of mental health in women with incarcerated spouses can have numerous negative effects on their lives. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Pennsylvania Resilience Program training on depression, anxiety, and stress in women with incarcerated husbands. This research employed a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test–post-test control group design. The study population included all women with incarcerated spouses who were supported by the Prisoners' Support Association in Ardakan during the 2023–2024 period. A total of 34 individuals were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned into two groups of 17 (experimental and control). The research instrument was the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (Lovibond, 1995). The experimental group received the Pennsylvania Resilience Program in ten sessions, each lasting 120 minutes, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26. The results showed that the mean scores of depression, anxiety, and stress in the experimental group significantly decreased compared to the control group in the post-test phase (p < .05). The findings support the effectiveness of the Pennsylvania Resilience Program in improving mental health indicators in women with incarcerated spouses and suggest its application for enhancing their psychological well-being.