LEADER-MEMBER EXCHANGE AND EMPLOYEE RESILIENCE AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG OFFICERS OF THE NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

Nigerian correctional centres and services are bedeviled with myriads of psychological challenges. This study investigated leader-member exchange and employee resilience as predictors of psychological distress of correctional services officers. One hundred and fifty-eight (158) officers of Nigerian correctional service participated in the study, with 82 males (51.9%), 76 females (48.1%), ageranges 25-51 years, mean-age 34.8 years and SD 6.2. Incidental sampling was used. Leader-Member Exchange Scale, Employee Resilience Scale, and Psychological Distress Scale were the instruments. Correlational and multiple linear regression were the design and statistic respectively. Result showed leader-member-exchange had a significant negative predictive influence on psychological distress at β = - .343, p < .05, (n = 158). Employee resilience did not reach predictive proportions at β = -.070, p > .05, (n = 158). The study recommends synergy between leader and member relationship in handling organizational challenges. This facilitates adaption to changes in the workplace and reduce psychological distress.