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.pg21.29

---

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-efficacy, Resilience, Psychological Distress, Inmates

---

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

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back