People in prison and correctional officers perspectives on their lived experiences engaging with mental health services in selected correctional facilities in Nigeria: a hermeneutic phenomenological analysis.

Mental health issues (MHIs) are highly prevalent among people in prison (PIP) population, yet engagement with mental health services (MHS) remains low. Factors such as cultural and traditional beliefs, religious practices, stigma, ethnicity, and gender influence the help-seeking behaviours of PIP. Correctional officers (COs), play a critical role in supporting PIP with MHIs, functioning as essential gatekeepers in facilitating or hindering MHS engagement. However, in Nigeria, there is a notable gap in research examining the factors that influence PIP engagement with MHS and COs approaches to supporting PIP with MHIs. To explore the lived experiences and perceptions of Nigerian PIP and correctional officers engaging with mental health services. Data collection for Phase 1 and Phase 2 utilised one-on-one, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. In Phase 1, face-to-face interviews were conducted with eight People in Prison (PIP) experiencing mild to moderate MHIs, with lived experience accessing MHS. In Phase 2, six COs, with a minimum of 12 months of experience supporting PIP with MHIs, participated in telephone interviews. The interview transcripts were analysed using NVivo software, which facilitated the generation of preliminary codes and themes. The qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Analysis (HPA) was selected as the guiding framework, as it was considered most appropriate for understanding the qualitative data. This methodology enabled an in-depth exploration of the subjective meanings participants ascribed to their experiences, which provided rich, nuanced insights into participants' lived experiences. Phase 1 presented four superordinate themes 'Encapsulating the essence of MHIs as intrinsically linked to spiritual influence', 'Incarceration as an accelerant: amplifying the experience of trauma', 'Mental health services: A pathway to achieving mental health transformation' and 'The influence of power dynamics on MHS engagement'. These themes demonstrated that the cultural and traditional beliefs of PIP influenced their perception of MHIs and their help-seeking behaviour. Building on Phase 1, Phase 2 explored how correctional officers' cultural and traditional beliefs influenced their perspectives on the use of Westernised medicine. Phase 2 generated four superordinate themes 'Beyond their control', 'Exclusivity of psychotropic medication for mental stability and attaining psychological well-being', 'Mental health services: A pathway for empowerment and rehabilitation success' and 'Unravelling the challenges, pitfalls and strategies for successful mental health service delivery'. These themes depict that COs' cultural and traditional beliefs influenced their perception towards MHIs and MHS and acknowledged the superiority of Westernised medicine in facilitating rehabilitation success for societal reintegration. This study highlights the influence of cultural, traditional and religious beliefs in the delivery of MHS in CFs. It further emphasises the need for improvements in the delivery of MHS, including culturally sensitive approaches which integrate religious interventions into MHS delivery, enhanced mental health literacy, and strengthened support systems for PIP and COs. The findings contribute to empirical evidence on MHIs and MHS provision within Nigerian CFs, an underexplored area. Notably, this research is the first to apply the HPA framework to examine MHS engagement within Nigerian correctional settings, establishing a foundation for future investigations.

Author dc:creator

• Ofobrukweta, Kevbe

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• G. Stevens, K. Forbes-McKay, S. Henderson and L. Boag

• Correctional facilities
• Inmates
• Correctional officers
• Mental health services
• Mental health issues
• Western medicine
• Nigeria

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:3020548
https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-3020548

Author Identifier

0000-0002-7452-462X

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:3020548