Stressor or succour? Examining the association between conflict, livestock assets, and farmers’ mental health in Nigeria
Olusegun Fadare,
Giacomo Zanello and
Chittur Srinivasan
Economics & Human Biology, 2023, vol. 49, issue C
Abstract:
Farmers are disproportionately vulnerable to violent attacks in the conflict situation in Nigeria, with potential traumatising effects due to the destruction of agricultural livelihoods. In this study, we conceptualise the links between conflict exposure, livestock assets, and depression, using a cross-sectional nationally representative survey of 3021 Nigerian farmers to quantify the relationships. We highlight three main findings. First, conflict exposure is significantly associated with farmers exhibiting depressive symptoms. Second, holding higher herds of livestock, more cattle, and more sheep and goats while exposed to conflict is associated with higher risk of depression. Third, keeping more poultry is negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Finally, this study accentuates the significance of psychosocial support for farmers in conflict situations. The relationships between different livestock species and farmers’ mental health may interest further research in strengthening the evidence.
Keywords: Violent conflict; Livestock assets; Depressive symptoms; Psychosocial support, Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 I15 O13 Q18 R23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:49:y:2023:i:c:s1570677x23000151
DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2023.101234
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