The mediating effects of perceived social support and shame on psychological distress and its dimensions among Liberian refugees in Nigeria

Liberian refugees in Nigeria have faced prolonged displacement since the 1990s, experiencing significant psychological distress and shame. Perceived social support (PSS) is a crucial factor in mitigating these effects, yet limited research has explored its mediating role alongside shame in this population. This study examines how PSS and shame mediate psychological distress and explores their domain-specific interactions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 520 Liberian refugees (334 males, 186 females) in Oru, using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. Findings indicate that PSS partially mediates the relationship between shame and psychological distress (β = -0.32, p < 0.001), highlighting its protective role. Domain-specific interactions emerged, revealing that different dimensions of PSS and shame uniquely influence psychological distress. Family support (β = -0.41, p < 0.001) and friend support (β = -0.28, p < 0.01) were negatively associated with distress, while bodily shame (β = 0.35, p < 0.001) and characterological shame (β = 0.47, p < 0.001) were positively linked to distress. Notably, behavioral shame (β = 0.21, p < 0.05) was positively related to aspects of PSS, whereas family support showed no significant association with anxiety (p = 0.12) or bodily shame (p = 0.08). These findings emphasize the need for targeted mental health interventions accounting for the mediating role of PSS and the nuanced interactions between PSS, shame, and distress. The implications are discussed within the framework of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, offering insights for refugee mental health support.