Psychosocial Determinants of Antisocial Behaviours Among Incarcerated Inmates at a Medium Security Correctional Facility in Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated adverse childhood experiences and cannabis use as determinants of antisocial behaviours of inmates at a medium security prison in north-east, Nigeria. The motivation for the study was due to observed paucity of empirical research on antisocial behaviours and associated risks among inmates in the area, despite anecdotal evidence of persistent involvement of youths in violent and destructive behaviours that violates social norms and expectations. Correlational survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 123 inmates were recruited at a Medium Correctional Centre, Biu, through simple random sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using multiple and Linear regression analysis to answer the research questions. Findings of the study revealed that adverse childhood experiences, particularly early experience of parental neglect and sexual abuse predicted future antisocial behaviours. Also, cannabis use among inmates and its interaction with traumatic experiences predicted greater problems. The implication of this result is that early exposure to adverse traumatic events and subsequent involvement in drug use may lead to antisocial behaviours, significantly resulting to security threats and spurt in incarceration with other attendant consequences. Thus, it was recommended, among others, that parents and other stakeholders should provide early support to children who are victims of neglect and sexual abuse to prevent future development of antisocial behaviours and security problems in the northeast region.