Effects of group cognitive-behavioral therapy on psychological distress of awaiting-trial prison inmates

The level of psychological distress among awaiting-trial inmates is rapidly increasing in Nigeria. Studies have recommended increasing attention and additional psychological intervention that could improve the psychological wellbeing of prisoners. This study evaluates the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on psychological distress among awaiting-trial prison inmates in Nigeria.

A total of 34 awaiting-trial prison inmates in Enugu state Nigeria were used as the study participants. Two measures (perceived emotional distress inventory and general health Questionnaire) were used for data collection. Repeated measures with analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine the effects of the intervention. Effect sizes were also reported with partial Eta Squared ((Equation is included in full-text article.)).

The result showed that there was no significant difference in psychological distress between the treatment and no-intervention groups. The results showed that CBT had a significant effect on psychological distress of awaiting-trial prison inmates when compared to their counterparts in the no-intervention group at Time 2. Additionally, the efficacy of CBT on the psychological distress of awaiting-trial prison inmates was significantly sustained at the follow-up measurements (Time 3).

This study suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective intervention for decreasing psychological distress among awaiting-trial prison inmates. Additionally, the impactful benefit of the intervention can persist in overtime. Therefore, cognitive behavioral therapists can further explore the efficacy of CBT using various cultures.