A Monthly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International e-Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories. International Research Journal of Humanities, Language and Literature ISSN: (2394-1642) 58 | Page International Research Journal of Humanities, Language and Literature Vol. 4, Issue 2, February 2017 Impact Factor- 5.401 ISSN: (2394-1642) © Associated Asia Research Foundation (AARF) Publication Website: www.aarf.asia Email : editor@aarf.asia , editoraarf@gmail.com SELF-EFFICACY, EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND PERCEPTION OF LIFE AMONG PRISONERS Sandamita Choudhury 1 , Rejani Thudalikunnil Gopalan. 2 , Shubham Thukral 3 1 Clinical Psychologist, Mind India, Institute of Positive Mental Health and Research, Guwahati, Assam, India. 2 Faculty, Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. 3 M.Phil Clinical Psychology Trainee, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. ABSTRACT The Indian Prison System which houses both the under trials and convicts offers a complex range of experiences to its inmates. While there are dark aspects to prisons, but there also lies positive aspects and teachings which has a role in giving better lives and personal growth through the activities. Prior studies have documented that prisons are emotionally fraught places where successful adaptation depends on the prisoners’ abilities to calibrate their emotional expressions and deal effectively with the challenges. Also efficacy beliefs influences whether people think pessimistically or optimistically. Therefore, the present study aims to understand the effect of socio demographic variables and self efficacy on the emotional regulation and perception of life. For the purpose, total of 48 participants comprising both male and female were selected from Sabarmati Central Jail, Ahmadabad using purposive sampling. Assessment tools used includes: The General Self-Efficacy Scale, Life Orientation Test-R (LOT-R), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Results identify better education level among males, higher incidence of sexual abuse among females and higher incidence of severe crime among