Assessing the psychological consequences of communal conflicts among the inhabitants of two conflict-affected communities in south east Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria communal conflicts are mainly caused due to disagreement communities have over land or some natural resources like oil deposits, solid minerals and water. Conflict can also arise when the communities want to defend their pride, properties or even themselves against the invasion of other communities. This study assessed the Psychological consequences of communal conflicts in a sample of 850 inhabitants from two communities in South east Nigeria using the following instruments; (1) The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), (2)The Short Screening Scale for Post traumatic stress disorder, (3) The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and (4) the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2). Result showed that 30.8% had psychological distress, 24.7% had post traumatic stress disorder; 22.5% and 14.5% had mild and moderate depression respectively. Furthermore, 27.9%, 16.4% and 3.6% had mild, moderate and severe anxiety disorder respectively. The results of the study were appropriately discussed with some recommendations.