Faith-based resilience: the word of God in trauma recovery for boko haram survivors at the International Christian Centre, Edo-state, Nigeria

Abstract

The ongoing violence instigated by Boko Haram has inflicted profound trauma on survivors, manifesting in severe physical, emotional, and psychological consequences. Several psychological literatures associate trauma and coping mechanisms with mental disruption or
dysfunction, often emphasizing psychological imbalances as a central cause. While this perspective is valid in various cases, this study proposes an alternative approach by shifting the focus from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to a Christian framework for recovery. Utilizing a qualitative methodology and survivors’ insights from the Christian Fellowship and those of the management at the International Christian Centre, this article introduces a broader discourse centered on the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Christ, conceptualized as the “Word of God”. This specific form of language, the Word of God, is examined as a crucial factor in building
resilience, highlighting its role as a coping mechanism. By doing so, this study contributes to the literature on culturally specific and decolonized approach to trauma theory and coping practices, highlighting how survivors draw on religious teachings, particularly the representations of Christ and the Holy Spirit, to navigate and cope with their traumatic experiences. Additionally, the study advocates for a comprehensive approach to trauma and recovery that integrates religious practices with psychological theories.