title: The Chromis Experience: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Participants' Experiences of the Chromis Programme.
abstract: This study examined male prisoners' experiences of participating in the Chromis programme, which aims to address violent behaviour in offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits. Four men who had completed Chromis and moved to new locations were purposefully sampled. This provided the opportunity for men to discuss their experiences after participating in the full programme and away from any influences of the treatment environment. Interview schedules were designed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Interview transcripts were analysed independently by two researchers using IPA who then compared and contrasted findings to develop superordinate themes across the group. Four superordinate themes resulted. These were "It's me and what I want that matters," Reaping the rewards, "It's treatment itself that makes things hard," and Make or break external influences. Across the board, participants benefited at some level from Chromis. Participants' experiences highlighted useful information that can inform practice with individuals with high levels of psychopathy. The clinical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: The University of Birmingham, England jenny.tew@noms.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tew
authors.affiliation: The Westgate Unit, HM Prison Frankland, Durham, UK.
authors.forename: Alice L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: The University of Birmingham, England.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Chromis; IPA; personality disorder; psychopathy; violence treatment