Psychological Resilience, Perceived Stigma, Trauma History, Social Support, and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Correctional Adjustment among Inmates in Onitsha Correctional Centre, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined psychological resilience, perceived stigma, trauma history, social support, and emotional intelligence as predictors of correctional adjustment among inmates in Onitsha Correctional Centre, Anambra State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a sample of 320 inmates comprising 260 awaiting trial and 60 convicted inmates selected through multistage sampling technique. Standardized instruments were used for data collection, including the Brief Resilience Scale, Stigma Scale for Chronic Illnesses, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, and a Correctional Adjustment Scale. Data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed significant positive and negative relationships among the study variables and correctional adjustment (resilience: r = 0.69; stigma: r = -0.66; trauma: r = -0.62; social support: r = 0.70; emotional intelligence: r = 0.67). The regression analysis showed that the variables jointly accounted for 67% of the variance in correctional adjustment (R² = 0.67; F = 97.45, p < .05). Social support emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by psychological resilience and emotional intelligence, while perceived stigma and trauma history had significant negative contributions. The study concludes that correctional adjustment is significantly influenced by a combination of psychological and social factors. It recommends strengthening trauma-informed care, resilience training, social support systems, and emotional intelligence development programmes within correctional institutions.