Militancy and children’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Experiences from Imo

Armed violence is significantly associated with mental stress among those who are affected by it. The experience tends to be extreme for children, who as soft targets are very prone to suffer a combination of physical harm and mental torture even beyond childhood. To provide more evidence about this, the current study investigated the effects of militancy on the experience and prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among children in Imo State, Nigeria. In-depth interviews were used to obtain information from 16 respondents. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select children affected by militancy-related post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as adults, who helped with triangulating the responses of the children. Findings revealed that post-traumatic stress disorder among children included the experiences of anxiety, lack of concentration, violent nightmares, loss, displacement and disruption of daily life routine. Despite limited access to mental health services, traditional methods were commonly used to address post-traumatic stress disorder. Hence, the need to incorporate cultural perspectives into mental health interventions, emphasizing the need for culturally attuned approaches to address the mental well-being of affected children. Caregivers such as psychologists, guidance counselors, psychiatrists, school administrators, and social workers can link, advocate and collaborate with relevant authorities to establish accessible and culturally sensitive mental health services in the community.