Prior substance use, depression and gender as determinants of self-harm urges in prison inmates: A study of Uyo Prison

This study examined prior substance use, depression and gender as determinants of selfharm urges in prison inmates. It was a survey utilizing ex-post facto design. A total of 183 male and 29 female inmates from Uyo prison participated in the study. Their mean age was 34.4years. Multi-stage sampling method was used. The t-test results {t (210)=2.89, p<.01} showed that inmates who used psychoactive substances before imprisonment reported higher self-harm urges than those who did not use. Also, inmates with high depressive symptoms reported higher self-harm urges than those with low depressive symptoms {t (210)= 4.21, p<.01}. The interaction of prior substance use and depression was significant, Wilks Lambda = .72, F (1, 210) = 19.02, p = <.01, partial eta squared = .17. A post-hoc test was conducted using LSD to show multiple comparison effect. Furthermore, the t-test results {t (210)= 2.60, p<.01} showed that female inmates reported higher self-harm urges than their male counterparts. The findings of this study have implications on the involvement of psychologists and other mental experts in the management of the prison system.Keywords: Self-harm urges, prior substance use, depression, gender, prison inmate

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among First Responders: Role of Personality Traits and Category of Responder

This study explored the roles of Personality traits and categories of first responders in predicting Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among First responders in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria. A purposive sample of 128 male and female first responders cutting across Fire fighters, Policemen, Federal road safety corps and volunteers participated in the study which utilized a simple questionnaire in assessing the presence of PTSD symptoms and personality traits. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant independent influence of Neuroticism (β=0.19; t=2.06; p˂.05) on PTSD. Furthermore, fire fighters scored significantly higher (M= 32.52) on the symptoms of PTSD than other responders. The implications of these results for policies, provision of adequate paraphernalia to first responders and future research are highlighted and discussed. Keywords: Posttraumatic stress disorder, First responders, Personality trait

Reducing Self-Harm Tendency: The Efficacy of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy among Inmates of a Nigerian Prison

Self-harming has been reported among prison inmates globally; it often starts with the urges. Empirical evidences from developed countries have shown Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) to be efficacious in reducing self-harm urges. There appears to be no evidence of the use of DBT in Nigeria either for research or therapeutic purposes. This study therefore tested the efficacy of DBT Nigeria. A total of 135 inmates randomly selected from Uyo Prison participated in the study which adopted pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design. Inmates’ Self-Harm Urges Scale, modified DBT, and Diary Cards were used to gather data. Results showed that inmates who were exposed to DBT continuously reported reduced self-harm urges post-test and 3-months follow-up stages. They also showed lower self-harm urges at post-test and follow-up stages compared to those who did not participate in DBT. It was recommended that DBT be used as a psychological adjunct in prison inmates’ rehabilitation

Psychological Trauma Following Disclosure of HIV Status to Significant Others in Women Living With HIV and AIDS

The impact of HIV and AIDS among African women has been devastating. Since the beginning of the epidemic, over 100,000 cases of AIDS have been reported among women, and 57% of these cases were among African women. New infections among women are increasing at a faster rate than new infections among men.  In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV positive women outnumbered HIV positive men. Gender inequalities in personal relationships, in the community, within the workforce, and in political circles affect women all over the world. Inequalities increase women’s vulnerability to poverty and vice-versa: both impact harshly on their ability to enjoy full human rights.   The research examined Psychological trauma women experienced following their HIV status disclosure to significant others. The study adopted descriptive qualitative method utilizing semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) as data collection methods. The study was conducted at the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), University College Hospital Ibadan. Because of the nature of the study, eighteen participants, all outpatient women of different categories were selected using purposive sampling. Only women who have experienced various negative consequences after disclosure of their HIV status participated in the study.   Findings revealed various negative consequences experienced by the participants after disclosing their HIV status to significant others. Three out of the eight married participants representing 37.5 % of married participants and 16.7% of the overall participants reported being sent away from their marriage by their husbands following disclosure of their HIV status. Three participants representing 16.7 % were relieved of their jobs because of their HIV status, 8 participants representing 44.4% reported various forms of verbal abuses from close friends, family members or health workers and 4 representing 22.2% faced family rejection following the disclosure of their HIV status. Further probing revealed that these women reported various type of psychological trauma, ranging from; regret for disclosing their status, worries about further stigmatization from those who may learn about their HIV status, low self esteem, and social withdrawer. Some have become economically grounded because of loss of jobs or withdrawal of social supports by love ones due to the disclosure of their HIV status.   From the findings of this study, it becomes clear that stigma and discrimination, rejection, isolation and other negative consequences may result from disclosing HIV status to significant others especially in women living with HIV & AIDS. This has impacted negatively on the efforts at curtailing the spread of the disease, getting people to know their status and in adherence to treatment regimen. However, disclosure of HIV positive status can result in negative consequences such as mentioned above, it is widely recognized that PLWHAs could still benefit from disclosure and the participants in this study though regretted the consequences that followed their disclosure, they encourage others to disclose their status.   From these results, it is expedient to promote or design intervention and education programmes that can convey information to people at various levels on the need to stop the stigma and discrimination and other negative emotions that are currently being melted on people living with HIV & AIDS. Furthermore, it becomes important that psychologists should put more efforts at improving the Psychological wellbeing of people living with HIV & AIDS who may also be suffering from Psychological trauma following disclosure of their status. Appropriate Psychological interventions should be designed to ameliorate their suffering. Nigeria Government should formulate relevant laws that will protect People living with HIV & AIDS from abuses.   Key word: Psychological Trauma, Disclosure, HIV Status, Significant Others, Psychological intervention

Non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs and motivation for change among street youth in Kano, Nigeria

Non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs among the young Nigerian population is an increasing public health concern. There is a dire need for a  robust understanding of the problem as well as factors affecting behaviour change. This study investigated factors influencing non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs, consequences, and motivation to stop use among street youth in Kano, Nigeria. Twenty-nine street youth selected through the snowballing sampling technique were involved in focus group discussions. Participants aged between 18 and 29 years. Sensation seeking, mood-altering, confidence, and energy boost were upheld as the major reasons for drug use; while poor health outcomes, financial problems, and  interpersonal dysfunction were the main consequences discussed by the focus group. Many of the participants indicated the intention to stop drug use but expressed concern about difficulties in accessing treatment. Preventive and psycho-social treatment measures for non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs targeting this group should be made accessible and affordable. Keywords: motivation for change, non-medical use, pharmaceutical drugs, street yout

Efficacy of compassion-focused therapy in a sample of youth with substance use disorder in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

The problem of substance use disorder among the young population in recent times remains a significant threat to the psychosocial  and economic fabrics of the entire society, despite several efforts channelled towards its amelioration. The present study investigated the efficacy of compassion-focused therapy on substance use disorder among youth in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. This pre-test post-test control group experimental study compared a compassion-focused therapy (CFT) plus treatment-as-usual (TAU) to TAU-alone in 20 young individuals with substance use disorder. Participants were purposively selected and randomly assigned to treatment (CFT+TAU) and comparison (TAU-alone) groups. Participants’ mean age was 21.08±1.86 years. Assessments occurred at intake, 10-weeks, and 1-month follow-up with a standardized questionnaire. Independent-sample t-test, 2x2 analysis of covariance and one-way repeated  measure of ANOVA were used for analyses at 0.05 significant level. Individuals in the CFT+TAU group reported significantly lower substance use disorder symptoms compared to those in the TAU-alone group. There was an overall significant difference between the SUD means of participants that received CFT+TAU at pre-test, post-test, and 1-month follow-up. CFT provide effective treatment of substance use disorder among Nigerian population; its utilization is therefore recommended. Keywords: Compassion-focused therapy, substance use disorder, youth, Nigeri

Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors, Parity, Attitude Towards Menstruation and Female Sex Role on Menstrual Distress

No Abstract Available African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol.6(1) 2001: 30-3

Fear of crime: The role of sex, neuroticism and prior victimization of Ibadan, Nigeria

No Abstract Available African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol.4(2) 1999: 275-28

Influence of Duration and Pattern of Work on Knowledge of Aids/Stds and Practice of Safer Sex Methods among Commercial Sex Workers and Control Group as Non-Commercial Sex Workers in Ibadan Metropolis

This study examined the role of duration and pattern of work on knowledge of AIDS/STDS and safer sex methods among commercial sex workers. A total of 100 commercial sex workers, randomly selected from Ibadan participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 24.96 years. The instruments used for data collection were the AIDS/STDs knowledge questionnaire and attitude towards the use of condom scale. The study was a cross-sectional survey research. The results revealed that part-time commercial sex workers had better knowledge of AIDS/STDs than their full-time counterparts (t (98) = 2.40,

Efficacy of Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy on Poststroke Depression among Survivors of First Stroke Attack in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background and Purpose. Poststroke depression (PSD) is a common complication after stroke. There is no adequate treatment for PSD. This study examined efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) in the treatment of PSD among stroke survivors. Methods. An experimental design, 30 participants with poststroke depression were randomly assigned into 3 groups of cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT), psychoeducation (PE), and the control group (CG). CRT consisted of nine sessions with three-phased sessions focusing on activity stimulation, negative thoughts, and people contacts, PE consisted of nine sessions focusing on knowledge on stroke and poststroke depression, and the CG group was on the waiting list. The BDI scale was used for assessing PSD at posttest. Results. There was a significant difference in the efficacy of CRT, PE, and the CG on PSD, with CRT–CG mean difference of −9.4 ± 3.11 and PE–CG 1.0 ± 3.83. Furthermore, stress was not a confounding variable on the efficacy of CRT. The type of therapy significantly influenced PSD at posttest, with the CRT having greater mean reduction to CG (−11.1 ± 3.1) than PE to the CG (3.0 ± 3.8). Conclusions. Cognitive rehabilitation therapy significantly reduced poststroke depression. Hence, it should be integrated as an adjunct treatment of poststroke depression