Relationship between Social Support and Psychological Well-Being among Prisoners: A Case of Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, Nairobi County, Kenya.
Date
2025-09
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Publisher
Tangaza University
Abstract
Imprisonment is widely regarded as a method of deterring individuals from committing further offences. However, life in prison often exposes inmates to a range of psychological challenges that require targeted interventions to promote mental well-being. This study examined the relationship between social support and psychological well-being among inmates at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in Nairobi County, Kenya. Guided by four objectives, the study assessed the level of social support, the level of psychological well-being, the relationship between demographic characteristics on psychological well-being, and the relationship between social support and psychological well-being. The research was based on Don Drennon-Gala and Cullen’s Social Support Theory and Ryff’s Six-Factor Model. A positivist correlational survey design was employed. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. A simple random sampling technique was applied to select the participants. The findings showed that 73.3% of the respondents reported moderate social support, 17.4% experienced high support, while 9.3% had low support. Regarding psychological well-being, 90.4% fell within the moderate range, 6.7% scored high, and 2.9% were in the low range. A chi-square test showed that age, marital status, level of education, and years served in prison had no significant difference on psychological well-being. Marital status also showed no significant effect (p = .666). Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between social support and psychological well-being (r = .193, p = .001). Regression analysis confirmed that social support significantly predicted psychological well-being (F (1, 311) = 11.97, p = .001). These findings emphasize the need to strengthen support systems for inmates, particularly through family visits, peer connections, friends and support from significant others. Encouraging self-reflection and healthy relationships within prison settings can enhance the psychological resilience of inmates.