Intensity of event, distress disclosure and resilience in post-traumatic stress disorder among internally displaced persons in Durumi Camp, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the influence Intensity of Event, Distress Disclosure and Resilience in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Durumi Camp, Abuja. A survey method was adopted using a convenient sampling technique to randomly select 55 participants (M=23 & F=32) ranging from 17-78 years old (MD=33.44; SD=17.30). The instruments used in the study were the Demographic Data of participants (including age, sex, religion, marital status, and educational qualification), Intensity of Violent Event Scale (IVES), Distress Disclosure Index, Nicholson McBride Resilience Questionnaire (NMRQ) and PTSD Symptoms Scale (PSS-1). To achieve the aim of the study, four hypotheses were tested using T-test, Multiple Regression Analysis and Pearson Correlation. Findings revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between intensity of violent event and PTSD (r=[53] = 0.430, P< 0.05) among IDPs. The results also showed that there was no significant relationship between distress disclosure and PTSD (r[53]= 0.038, P> 0.05) among IDPs. Results of the study further revealed a significant moderate relationship between Resilience and PTSD (r[53]= 0.460, P< 0.05) among IDPs. Lastly, results revealed that distress disclosure and resilience jointly predicted PTSD (R= .461; F= 7.033, P< .01) among IDPs in Durumi Camp, Abuja. Independently, resilience indicated a significant difference in the relationship with PTSD (β= .466; t= 3.737, P< .01) while distress disclosure did not independently predict PTSD (β= -.035; t= -.280, P> .05) among IDPs in Durumi Camp, Abuja. We concluded that intensity of event and resilience significantly predict PTSD; we also concluded that distress disclosure and resilience jointly and significantly predicted PTSD. Based on the findings from this study, it is recommended that there should be early orientation / proper education of internally displaced persons in terms of resiliency skills, event disclosure to trained practitioners. Furthermore, government should involve the services of psychologists to assess and address the issue of PTSD among IDPs in Nigeria.