Wounded healers: How formerly incarcerated women help themselves by helping others

Abstract

This mixed methods study explores the role that being a helper/wounded healer has for formerly incarcerated women. Regression analyses examining the influence of a helper/wounded healer orientation on self-esteem and social support are triangulated with in-depth responses to probes regarding the benefits of helping others among a purposive sample of previously incarcerated women. Results reveal that helping others benefits the helper by boosting self-esteem, increasing prosocial activity, and enhancing social connectedness. The culture of “giving back” and being of service to others who are less far along in the recovery/reintegration process is discussed. Implications for policy and practice are offered.