AN OVERVIEW OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO ARMED CONFLICT AND RURAL BANDITRY IN ZAMFARA STATE (Original Research)
Dublin Core
Title
AN OVERVIEW OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO ARMED CONFLICT AND RURAL BANDITRY IN ZAMFARA STATE (Original Research)
Subject
Assessment, Psychological Factors, Mental Health, Survivors, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
Description
Introduction: Armed conflict in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, has
resulted in numerous casualties, kidnappings, deaths, torture, rape, and
destruction of property. This violence has been strongly associated with the
development of mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, especially
in resource-limited settings like Zamfara. This study aimed to assess the mental
health and psychological implications of armed conflict among survivors of rural
banditry in Zamfara State.
Method : A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed, involving
410 participants aged 11 years and above, selected through multistage and
simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using the General
Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and analysed using descriptive statistics with
SPSS version 26.0.
Results : The findings revealed that the majority of respondents experienced
mild psychological symptoms (mean score 1.75), while a smaller proportion
exhibited moderate symptoms (mean score 2.25 to ≤3). Additionally, some
participants reported severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Conclusions : The study concludes that a significant proportion of survivors of
rural banditry in Zamfara State experience varying degrees of psychological
distress. Based on these findings, the study recommends urgent interventions
and support for mental health in the region, including the provision of mental
health services, psychological interventions, community support programs, capacity building, and continuous research and monitoring
resulted in numerous casualties, kidnappings, deaths, torture, rape, and
destruction of property. This violence has been strongly associated with the
development of mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, especially
in resource-limited settings like Zamfara. This study aimed to assess the mental
health and psychological implications of armed conflict among survivors of rural
banditry in Zamfara State.
Method : A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed, involving
410 participants aged 11 years and above, selected through multistage and
simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using the General
Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and analysed using descriptive statistics with
SPSS version 26.0.
Results : The findings revealed that the majority of respondents experienced
mild psychological symptoms (mean score 1.75), while a smaller proportion
exhibited moderate symptoms (mean score 2.25 to ≤3). Additionally, some
participants reported severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Conclusions : The study concludes that a significant proportion of survivors of
rural banditry in Zamfara State experience varying degrees of psychological
distress. Based on these findings, the study recommends urgent interventions
and support for mental health in the region, including the provision of mental
health services, psychological interventions, community support programs, capacity building, and continuous research and monitoring
Creator
Tasi’u Yalwa, Ado Shehu, Fatima Balarabe, Zulkiflu Musa Argungu, Nasir Muhammed Abdullahi, Attahir Sa’ad Ayuba, Gomma, Hayat, Ebteasam Jibreel
Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.20473/pnj.v7.i2. 76780
Publisher
UNAIR
Date
September 2025
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Rights
ISSN : 26563894
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Files
Collection
Citation
Tasi’u Yalwa, Ado Shehu, Fatima Balarabe, Zulkiflu Musa Argungu, Nasir Muhammed Abdullahi, Attahir Sa’ad Ayuba, Gomma, Hayat, Ebteasam Jibreel, “AN OVERVIEW OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO ARMED CONFLICT AND RURAL BANDITRY IN ZAMFARA STATE (Original Research),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11864.