Social Support, Religious Affiliation and Educational Attainment as Predictors of Psychological Wellbeing among Spouses of Male Prisoners in Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: The study was designed to examine the influence of social support, religion and education on psychological wellbeing among female partners of prisoners in Ibadan, Nigeria. Study Design: The cross-sectional survey research design was utilized. Place and Duration: The study was carried out at Agodi prison, Ibadan, Nigeria for about five weeks between February 2013 and March 2013 Methodology: Using the purposive sampling technique, a total of 109 female partners of prisoners in Ibadan participated in the study. The ages of the participants ranged between 20 years to 65 years with mean age of 39.47years and standard deviation of 10.03 years. Questionnaire containing standardized scales that measured social support, psychological well-being and demographic characteristics were used for data collection. It was hypothesized that there will be a significant influence of social support on psychological wellbeing. Results: There was significant difference between the psychological wellbeing of partners with low ( X = 63.62) social support and High (X = 72.85) social support, t (107)= 6.06, P < .001 The results also showed that religion and education had significant main and interaction influence on psychological well-being, F (4, 99) = 2.67, P<.01. Conclusion: Social support and encouragement through religious counseling were consequently recommended for female partners of prisoners.