Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Self-Efficacy and Psychological Distress Among Inmates in Correctional Centres in Benue State, Nigeria: The Mediating Role of Resilience

Pius Bundetimin Uhenku, Pauline Aiingona Atsehe PhD, Elvis Oblu Ihaji PhD

Abstract

The mental health of inmates is a priority for the criminal justice system and the society at large. Inmates are often at risk of numerous psychological problems. This is not different for inmates under rehabilitation in Benue State. This study examined the mediating role of resilience between self-efficacy and psychological distress among inmates in correctional centres in Benue State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was adopted, and data were collected from 613 inmates sampled from correctional centres in Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo. The Psychological distress scale, self- efficacy scale and Brief resilience scale were used for data collection. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested. Findings revealed that self-efficacy significantly predicted psychological distress among inmates. Similarly, resilience significantly predicted psychological distress among inmates. However, resilience did not significantly mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and psychological distress. It was recommended that clinical psychologists serving as correctional officers should develop and implement a resilience training programme for inmates. The training should target building their efficacy levels and ability to bounce back in response to stressful situations

Keywords

Self-efficacyResiliencePsychological DistressInmates

References

Abubakar, T. (2015). Prison condition in Nigeria and the World. Australian Social Work, 62(2), 258-271. Adegoke, A. A., & Steyn, G. M. (2017). Self-efficacy, emotional intelligence and academic achievement among adolescents in residential care. Gender and Behaviour, 15(2), 9118- Ajala, E. M., & Adejumo, O. O. (2021). Mental health status of prisoners in Nigeria: Challenges and implications for rehabilitation. African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, 24(2), 142–155. Akinyemi, A. I., & Adeoye, A. O. (2017). Social support and resilience as predictors of psychological well-being among incarcerated youths in Nigeria. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 6(3), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijssh.20170603.14 Amoke, C. V., Ede, M. O., Nwokeoma, B. N., & Onah, S. O. (2020). Effects of group cognitive- behavioral therapy on psychological distress of awaiting-trial prison inmates. Medicine, 99(17), 18-34. Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: W.H. Freeman. Bonanno, G. A. (2019). The construct of resilience: Recent advances and future directions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(3), 185-191. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018- 46622-001 Dolcos, F., Hohl, K., Hu, Y., & Dolcos, S. (2021). Religiosity and Resilience: Cognitive Reappraisal and Coping Self-Efficacy Mediate the Link between Religious Coping and Well-Being. Journal of Religion and Health, 60, 2892 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01160-y. Emmanuel, A. B., & Olarenwaju, A. S. (2022). Length of sentence as predictor of Self-Harm urge Among prison inmates In South-West Nigeria; the mediatory role of resilience. IFE PsychologIA: An International Journal, 30(1), 38-52. Eze, C. I., & Okeke, I. E. (2020). Resilience and psychological well-being among Nigerian prison inmates: The role of cultural and spiritual resources. Journal of African Psychology, 4(1), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.4102/jap.v4i1.92 Icekson, T., Begerano, O. D., Levinson, M., Savariego, J., & Margalit, M. (2021). Learning difficulties and loneliness in college and beyond: The mediating role of self-efficacy, proactive coping, and hope. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10-58. Iwuagwu, S. C., & Amaefula, C. G. (2018). Resilience and psychological well-being among incarcerated individuals in Nigeria. Corrections: Policy, Practice and Research, 3(3), 187- Kessler, R. C. (1994). Categorical versus dimensional assessment controversy in the sociology of mental illness. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43, 171-188. Masten, A. S. (2014). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 69(1), 357-366. Nwefoh, E., Aguocha, C. M., Ryan, G., Ode, P., Ighagbon, F. O., Akinjola, O. & Eaton, J. (2020). Depression and experience of incarceration in North Central Nigeria: a situation analysis at Makurdi medium security prison. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 14, 1-13. Ogundipe, R. F., & Adejumo, G. O. (2019). Correlates of psychological distress among inmates in a Nigerian prison. International Journal of Prisoner Health, 15(1), 51-62. Ojo, T. K., & Olowookere, E. I. (2017). Cultural influences on resilience and self-efficacy among Nigerian prison inmates: Implications for psychological interventions. International Journal of African & African American Studies, 16(2), 34–44. https://www.i_journal.org/2017/vol16/issue2/3.pdf Okafor, U. E., & Eze, P. A. (2019). The mediating role of resilience in the relationship between self-efficacy and psychological distress among Nigerian prison inmates. African Journal of Psychological Studies, 12(2), 110–123. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajps.v12i2.7 Opoku, M. P., Mprah, W. K., Duorinaah, J., Gyimah, E. M., Nketsia, W., & Adwan-Kamara, L. (2024). Mental health services for the deaf: an exploratory study of the aetiology, sources of information, and access to mental health services among deaf persons in Ghana. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), 13-79. Schunk, D. H., & DiBenedetto, M. K. (2021). Self-efficacy and human motivation. In Advances in motivation science (153-179). Elsevier. Schwarzer, R., & Jerusalem, L. M. (1995). Perceived self-efficacy and its relationship to resilience. In S. Prince-Embury & D. H. Saklofske (Eds.), Resilience in Children, Adolescents, and Adults (139–150). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4939- 3_10 Sheikh, S., & Siddiqui, D. A. (2023). How strengths of Character affect Satisfaction with Life, and Social Support by inculcating resilience: The Mediatory Role of Life Orientation (Optimism and Pessimism), Positive Affect, and Self Efficacy. Positive Affect, and Self Efficacy, 1, 2-10. Smith, B. W., Dalen, J., Wiggins, K., Tooley, E., Christopher, P., & Bernard, J. (2008). The Brief Resilience Scale: Assessing the Ability to Bounce Back. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 15, 194–200. Windle, G., Bennett, K. M., & Noyes, J. (2011). A methodological review of resilience measurement scales. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 9(1), 8-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-9-8

More Articles from JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY