The Values and Cultural Characteristics of Defense Mechanisms in the COVID-19 Epidemic

Authors : Mo Wang

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjss.53.59.70

Abstract:
Over the past three years, people have suffered from unimaginable psychological stress and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 epidemic. These stresses and anxieties stem from the threat that COVID-19 poses to people’s health and lives, as well as the negative impact of the government’s lockdown and quarantine policies on social economy and development. All these factors may put people in a state of stress and anxiety for a long time. However, any perceived stress can trigger the individual’s self-defense mechanism. To reduce anxiety from the epidemic, the automatic psychological processes are involuntarily activated, and the defense mechanisms are at work. This paper examines the performance of defense mechanisms during the epidemic based on news reports and the theory of defense mechanisms and illustrates the practical role and significance of understanding defense mechanisms for the public. Additionally, this paper also takes into account the potential cultural features of defensive systems.

Religiosity as a Predictor of Prisoners’ Adjustment: The Mediatory Role of Resilience among Inmates in South-West Nigeria

Authors : Agesin Bamikole Emmanuel ; Adebayo Sulaiman Olarenwaju

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjss.53.52.58

Abstract:
The study of prison behaviour, particularly adjustment after incarceration has evolved with the cause of time and has ultimately become a veritable source for understanding how prisoners employ personal adjustment characteristics in their respective socio-cultural, and demographic variables These behaviours define the social position of inmates and provide a better understanding of the behavioural process that reduces the overall economic cost of adjusting problems within prison communities. The problem of adjustment is under-reported in commonplace within the Nigerian Correctional Service. The study determined the role of religiosity as a predictor of adjustment among inmates in southwest Nigeria: The mediatory role of resilience. Using a correlational survey design and systematic sampling technique, four hundred and seventy-eight convicts responded to the religiosity scale, resilience Scale, and Prison Adjustment Scale. Analysis of the data with Linear and multiple regression and Sobel statistics. Findings revealed that religiosity significantly predicted prisoners’ adjustment [β.14, t 2.85’, < .01], and Resilience significantly predicted prisoners’ adjustment β.18, t 2.25’, p< .05.  Furthermore, the strength with which resilience mediated the existing relationship between prison adjustment and religiosity was significant. Thus, (Ƶ = 2.60, p. 01). It was recommended that prison management must include faith-based programs since it’s implicated as an important enhancer of adjustment among inmates as evidenced in this study. The program is essential in promoting or enhancing psychologically well-adjusted prison inmates.

The Contribution of National Fisheries Policy Implementation to Economic Security Management between Kenya and Uganda

Authors : Masoud M. ; Okoth P. G. ; Were M. E.

DOI : doi.org/10.47752/sjss.53.39.51

Abstract:
The global agenda for natural resource management espouses the principle that disputes between riparian states are resolved in a peaceful manner. The management of economic security on Lake Victoria transboundary disputes between Kenya-Uganda which are about resources within the maritime zone has been negatively affected by transboundary dispute since resolutions on the same do not focus on the economic security aspect. This paper evaluates the contribution of national fisheries policy implementation to economic security management between Kenya and Uganda. Structural-functionalist, social conflict and John Burton’s conflict resolution theory guided the study. The study employed descriptive research design while purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to determine samples. Philosophically, the study contributed towards a better understanding of the transboundary disputes and their management as well as forming a basis for future research. Study findings indicated that statutory instruments regulate fishing operations or the conduct of fishing as public revenues of both Kenya and Uganda on Lake Victoria. The study recommends a robust reform in the national policies on fishery by both Kenya and Uganda to militate against the Lake Victoria transboundary dispute and bolster economic security management. The statutory instruments for fishing should be revised to provide an enabling fishing environment for fishers and fish traders.