Prevalence of Insecure Attachment Styles in Kenyan Prisons and Associated Social Demographic Characteristics of Inmates

Rachel Ngima Ngunjiri, Candidate Masters of Clinical Psychology; & Winnie Waiyaki, Ph.D., Daystar University

Attachment is about the emotional bond between caregivers and infants which has significant implications on adult interaction. When attachment is insecure it has been found to predict criminal behaviour, yet studies have not focused on Kenyan prisons’ inmates. This study sought to establish the prevalence of insecure attachment styles among prison inmates and investigated the relationship between their social demographic characteristics and the insecure attachment styles at Shimo la Tewa Prison in Kenya. The study employed a correlational research design with a target population of 2,240 inmates, from which a sample of 237 inmates was selected using purposive sampling. The findings revealed a high prevalence of insecure attachment styles, with 148 inmates (62.45%) showing elevated anxiety attachment scores and 125 inmates (52.74%) demonstrating high avoidance attachment patterns. The social demographic analysis showed a predominantly male population (86.9%), with the largest age group being 25-34 years (34.30%). Most inmates (58.2%) had only primary education, were Christian (63.7%), and 46.8% were married. Statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between insecure attachment styles and both marital status (χ² = 186.780, p=0.001) and education level (χ² = 72.529, p=0.029), while no significant relationships were found with gender, age, or religion. The study concludes that understanding the relationship between social demographic characteristics and insecure attachment styles is crucial for developing effective rehabilitation programs in correctional facilities. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that consider both attachment patterns and demographic factors, particularly focusing on education and relationship support. Recommendations include implementing comprehensive attachment-focused interventions, enhancing educational programs, and developing specialized support systems that address the unique needs of inmates based on their demographic characteristics and attachment styles. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on attachment theory in correctional settings and provide practical insights for improving rehabilitation outcomes in Kenyan prisons.

Key Words: Insecure attachment, Prisons, demographics of inmates