Posttraumatic Stress, Resilience and Life Satisfaction Among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) In Benue State

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of posttraumatic stress resilience on life satisfaction among Internally Displaced Persons in Benue State. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design in which 376 IDPs, comprising 173(46.0%) males and 203(54.0%) females, whose ages ranged from 18 – 70 (Mean age =34.86, SD=10.53) served as participants. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Resilience Scale were used in data collection. Data analysis involved the use of Simple Linear Regression, Multiple Linear Regression and Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis. Results revealed that, posttraumatic stress showed a significant negative influence on life satisfaction among IDPs in Benue State. Results also indicated that, resilience had a significant positive influence on life satisfaction among the IDPs. Finally, there was a significant joint influence of posttraumatic stress and resilience on life satisfaction among IDPs. The study also recommends that, management of IDPs camps in Benue State should employ Clinical Psychologists for intervention in areas such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy that have shown effectiveness in the management of posttraumatic stress, as well as introduce resilience training to the IDPs as a way of improving life satisfaction among IDPs in Benue State.