Trauma Resilience, Social Support, Optimism and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Victims of Farmer-Herder Conflict in Logo and Gwer-West, Benue State

Shadrack S. Guusu, Abraham T. Naibo, James R. Sunday and Uwemedimo S. Isaiah
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Shadrack S. Guusu: Department of the Psychology, Benue State University Makurdi, Benue State,
Abraham T. Naibo: Warri South OSS, Excellent Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Delta State, Nigeria
James R. Sunday: Department of Psychology, University of Uyo, Awka Ibom State, Nigeria
Uwemedimo S. Isaiah: Department of Psychology, University of Uyo, Awka Ibom State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 1, 2169-2183

Abstract: Farmer-herder conflicts have become a pervasive source of trauma in many parts of Nigeria, leading to widespread displacement and severe psychological consequences for victims. Understanding the psychological factors that is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is crucial for effective intervention and recovery. This study explored the relationships between trauma resilience, social support, optimism, and PTSD among victims of farmer-herder conflict residing in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Logo and Gwer-West Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, Nigeria. The study adopted an ex-post facto design. A total of 403 victims of farmer-herder conflict in Logo and Gwer-West in Benue state living in selected IDP camps participated in the study; out of which, 155 (38.5%) were males and 240 (59.6%) females. The respondents had an age range of 12-95, with a mean age ofï X=39.86 (SD = 15.00) years. Data for the study were collected using Trauma Resilience Scale (RS)-14; Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support; Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R); Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-C). Four hypotheses were tested using Regression Analysis. It was found that trauma resilience did not significantly predict posttraumatic stress disorder; social support significantly predicted posttraumatic stress disorder –specifically, family support was found to negatively influence posttraumatic stress disorder. Optimism did not significantly predict posttraumatic stress disorder. Lastly, trauma resilience, social support and optimism were found to have jointly influenced posttraumatic stress disorder among victims of farmer-herder conflict in Logo and Gwer-West, Benue State. It was therefore recommended that national and subnational government through the Emergency Management Agencies along with humanitarian and development organizations should include in their Emergency Response Plans a re-settlement programme for displaced persons affected by conflict. These plans should further be closely monitored by civil society to ensure timely implementation. The study further recommends that when organizing camps for displaced persons, the family structure should be considered. At the nuclear level, families should be given safe spaces so that they could still function as families as much as possible.

Date: 2025
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