Social and psycho-physiological cConsequences of overcrowding aAmong internally displaced persons in Nigeria's North-East (A Psychological Appraisal of IDP’S in Dalori Camp, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria)

Human beings have an acceptable level of crowding above which their well-being will become significantly impaired. This study examined the social and psycho-physiological consequences of overcrowding on the well-being of IDPs. Data was gathered from 90 IDPs from the Dalori IDP camp in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. The study is anchored on Freedman's Density-Intensity Theory and Stokol's Overcrowding Theory, which posit that sensory inputs overload and perception of insufficient control over the environment impair human psych-physiological functioning, as well as engender feelings of learned helplessness. Participants responded to four survey instruments, the Health Symptoms Checklist (HSC), The Stress Symptoms Checklist (SSC), The Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), and The Symptom Distress Checklist (SCL-90). Results showed that IDPs in crowded shelters reported more health symptoms, sleep disorders, and physical and psycho-physiological dysfunctions than those in less crowded shelters. The study also revealed that IDP residents in the camp report more psycho-physiological dysfunctions and depressive symptoms than those who are residents outside the camp. A major implication of the finding is that given the precarious environmental conditions prevailing in IDP camps in the North-East, of Nigeria, there is a need to focus on addressing the issue of overcrowding in IDP camps to improve the well-being of IDPs resident in the camps.