The Efficacy of Naikan Therapy on Male Offenders: Changes in Perceived Social Support and Externalized Blame

• Author: Xiaodi Guo,Guangjian Cao,Xinfang Ding,Peng Ren,Shiwei Wei,Kelai Wang,Zipeng Qiu,Haoqian Fucha,Zhigang Di,Zhongzhao Liu
• Date: 01 August 2018
• Published date: 01 August 2018
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X17742839
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X17742839

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2018, Vol. 62(11) 3499 –3508

© The Author(s) 2017

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X17742839

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Article

The Efficacy of Naikan

Therapy on Male Offenders:

Changes in Perceived Social

Support and Externalized

Blame

Xinfang Ding1, Zhongzhao Liu2, Guangjian Cao2,

Shiwei Wei3, Zipeng Qiu2, Kelai Wang2, Xiaodi Guo2,

Zhigang Di2, Peng Ren2, and Haoqian Fucha2

Abstract

Naikan is a contemplative self-observation practice that originated from Japanese Shin

Buddhism and is utilized for rehabilitating prison inmates in many countries. Although

some investigations have provided initial evidence for its efficiency in decreasing

recidivism, there is still a need for further investigation of the effectiveness of Naikan

on other outcomes through more controlled studies. The present study aimed to

investigate the efficacy of Naikan therapy on male offenders’ perceived social support

and externalized blame. Ninety-two male offenders were randomly assigned to either

the experimental group or to the waiting group. All participants were evaluated by the

Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Externalization subscale

of the Test of Self-Conscious Affect before and after Naikan therapy. The results

suggested that participants who received Naikan therapy showed higher levels of

perceived social support and lower levels of externalized blame after Naikan therapy

than before.

Keywords

Naikan therapy, offenders, perceived social support, externalized blame, rehabilitation

1Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

2Beijing Prison Administration, China

3Beijing Psychcn Technology Development Co. Ltd., China

Corresponding Author:

Xinfang Ding, School of Health Management and Education, Capital Medical University,

Beijing 100069, China.

Email: dingxinfang@ccmu.edu.cn

742839IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X17742839International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyDing et al.

research-article2017