Pathfinders and Problem Solving: Comparative Effects of Two Cognitive-Behavioral Programs Among Men and Women Offenders in Community and Prison

The effects of Problem Solving (Taymans & Parese, 1998) are compared across small diversion and prison samples for men and women. A second program, Pathfinders (Hansen, 1993), was compared to the Problem Solving program among incarcerated women offenders to determine whether its focus upon empowerment and relationships enhanced the effects of the more generic program. Problem Solving participants in three of the four settings achieved significantly fewer correctional misconducts than comparisons. These reductions were found for both men and women. No effects were detected on measures pertaining to conflict and work. Pathfinders did not augment the effects of Problem Solving for incarcerated women offenders, but it did significantly reduce their depression (CESD) scores over time. Problem Solving significantly reduced depression scores for all but the incarcerated women's group.