Benue State University, Makurdi

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SELF-REGULATION BETWEEN EMOTIONAL ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG REGISTERED ORPHANS IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Theresa Doofan Uker & Samuel Terzungwe Anhange

Abstract

This study investigated the mediating role of self-regulation in the relationship between emotional abuse and mental health among registered orphans in Benue State. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted using 203 orphans in Benue state. They comprised of 81 (39.9%) males and 122 (60.1%) females. Their ages ranged from 10-17years with a mean age of 13.419 years (SD=2.714). Census sampling was used to draw the participants for the study. Emotional Abuse Scale, Self-Regulation Questionnaire and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale were used for data collection. Four hypotheses were generated and tested using Multiple Linear Regression, Hayes Process Analysis and Standard Multiple Regression. The result indicated that emotional abuse significantly influenced mental health among orphans. The result further showed that direct abuse did not significantly predict mental health while covert abuse made a significant contribution to mental health. The result also showed that self-regulation significantly influenced mental health among orphans. As for the dimensions, the result further showed that affect, awareness and empowerment made significant contributions to mental health. The result further showed that self-regulation did not significantly mediate the relationship between emotional abuse and mental health. The result also indicated that there was a significant joint influence of emotional abuse and self-regulation on mental health. It was recommended that the Government, Human rights and other legal agencies should endeavour to reinforce compliance with the Child Right and Abuse Act. This can be implemented by opening up referral/reporting lines and ensuring that justice is always exercised when cases are reported.

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