The Efficacy of Cinema Therapy as a Clinical Intervention in the Reduction of Aggression Among Inmates: A Basis for an Enhanced Community Program

Abstract

Jail facilitiesare presently overcrowded with inmates mostly with drug-related cases. They often suffer from different emotional issues that worsen their conditions. Various strategies are being used to help these people to at least lessen their burden and discomfort. Since the television is the only electronic device available inside the jail facility, the use of cinema therapy as a clinical intervention in making an impact on their emotional status was considered. The purpose of the study is to know the efficacy of cinema therapy as a clinical intervention in the reduction of aggression among female inmates. It used the quasi-experimental research with pre-test post-test design of the statistical investigation. It was conducted in Marikina City Jail Female Dorm with 15 respondents from the experimental group and another 15 from the control group. It specifically measured the aggression level of inmates, along with the areas of physical aggression, verbal aggression, hostility, anger, and indirect aggression. The study found out that cinema therapy has a significant effect on the hostility of female persons deprived of liberty. All other areas yielded the same level of aggression. The proposed enhanced therapeutic community program encourages participants to have high impulse control, self-discipline, reduce hostility, become more sociable, release pent-up feelings and emotions, cope with the stress of everyday living, develop enhanced tolerance and attain tranquility or peace of mind.