Influence of Self-Emotional Regulation on Explosive Disorder Among Female Inmates Towards Male Partner in Selected Women Prisons, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of cognitive restructuring strategies on female inmates with mental disorders related to intermittent explosive disorder towards male partners in selected women prisons in Kenya. The study helped to evaluate the influence of inmates’ emotional response control towards male partners. The study was anchored on Social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura and self-evaluation maintenance theory by Abraham Tesser. The study used an Ex Post Facto research design. The study was carried out at Langata and Thika Women Prisons. Quantitative data was obtained from the sampled inmates using questionnaires; while qualitative data was collected using interview guides from the prison key informants. The study incorporated 8 constables, 4 counsellors, 3 chaplains as key informants. Stratified and proportionate simple random sampling was used to select a sample size of 307 inmates. Quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential tests. Hypotheses were tested at p=.05 using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically according to the study objectives. The study results indicated that there was a statistically non-significant negative relationship between emotional regulation and intermittent explosive disorder, [r (257) = -.059, p = .347]. This demonstrates that an increase in intensity of emotional regulation indicators: self-awareness, modulating response, response to emotions, led to a decrease in severity of intermittent explosive disorder indicators: rage, irritability, racing thoughts, violence, aggression, yelling, intimidation. Therefore, the null hypothesis that there was no statistical influence of emotional regulation on intermittent explosive disorder among female inmates’ violence towards male partner in selected women prisons, Kenya is rejected.