Children and Women in Conflict: Psychological Perspectives on the Crisis in Northeast Nigeria

This study aimed to examine the psychological impact of the conflict in Northeast Nigeria on children and women and to identify culturally appropriate strategies for psychosocial recovery and resilience. The study was guided by three specific objectives and three research questions. The study adopted a phenomenological qualitative design to explore lived experiences in depth. The study area comprised selected conflict-affected communities in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States. The population was estimated at over 1.5 million conflict-affected women and children in the region; a purposive sample of 48 participants (24 women and 24 children) was recruited to ensure firsthand experiential accounts. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDI) and four focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted in participants’ preferred languages with trained interpreters where necessary. Interviews were audio-recorded (with consent), transcribed verbatim, and translated into English as required. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, supported by NVivo for coding and theme development. Trustworthiness was ensured via member checking, triangulation of data sources (women, children, and service providers), peer debriefing, and an audit trail. Ethical approval was obtained and informed consent (and parental consent/child assent) was secured prior to participation. Three major themes emerged. First, participants reported profound psychological distress manifesting as nightmares, chronic anxiety, depressive symptoms, PTSD-like reactions, sleep disturbance, and behavioural changes in children (withdrawal, aggression, learning difficulties). Second, coping strategies were largely community- and faith-based: religiosity, peer/support groups, storytelling, play and school activities for children, and informal livelihood efforts for women; however, maladaptive responses (isolation, substance use for some) were also present. Third, psychosocial services where available provided short-term relief (counselling, child-friendly spaces, group therapy), but were limited in coverage, irregular, under-resourced, and insufficiently localized or sustained to meet long-term recovery needs. The study recommended (a) scaling up community-based, culturally adapted psychosocial programmes integrated into primary health and education systems; (b) training and deploying locally recruited, trauma-informed counsellors; (c) institutionalizing school-based psychosocial support and safe spaces.