IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY (JHSP )

E-ISSN 2545-5729
P-ISSN 2695 2416
VOL. 11 NO. 5 2025
DOI: 10.56201/jhsp.vol.11.no5.2025.pg1.9

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Emotional regulation and Psychological Distress among Inmates in Correctional Centres in Benue State, Nigeria: The Mediating role of Resilience

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

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Abstract

Psychological distress is a prominent mental health issue among inmates, often exacerbated by incarceration-related stressors such as overcrowding, violence, isolation, and inadequate mental health support. Nevertheless, literature is sparse in explaining this phenomenon in Benue State. This study examined the mediating role of resilience between emotional regulation 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, emotion regulation questionnaire and Brief resilience scale were used for data collection. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested. Findings revealed that emotion regulation and its dimensions significantly predicted psychological distress among inmates. Similarly, resilience significantly predicted psychological distress among inmates. Also, resilience significantly mediated the relationship between emotional regulation and psychological distress among inmates. It was recommended that the curriculum for rehabilitation in Nigerian correctional centres should incorporate emotion regulation skills and resilience strategies training for inmates. This is relevant to assist them to learn positive ways of coping with stress induced by incarceration.

keywords:

Emotion regulation, Resilience, Psychological Distress, Inmates

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