Psychosocial realities and displacement-related factors shaping mental health among internally displaced persons in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Objective Nigeria has one of the largest internally displaced populations in West Africa. Quantitative studies have documented mental health symptoms among internally displaced persons (IDPs), but less is known about the lived psychosocial realities and displacement-related factors shaping mental health in North Central Nigeria. This study explored trauma exposure, support, coping, socioeconomic conditions, and gender-based violence (GBV) and protection concerns among IDPs in Wassa and Durumi camps, Abuja. Methods A qualitative phenomenological design was used. Eighteen in-depth interviews and eight focus group discussions were conducted in Hausa with adolescents, adults, camp leaders, and religious leaders, then transcribed, translated into English, and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s framework with NVivo 14. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory guided interpretation. Results Five themes emerged: psychological distress and mental health perceptions, support ecosystem, coping mechanisms, socioeconomic impact, and GBV and protection concerns. Participants described violence exposure, excessive thinking, social withdrawal, disrupted schooling, livelihood loss, food and water insecurity, weak formal services, and reliance on family, peers, faith groups, and informal savings networks. GBV accounts were mostly indirect and were interpreted as participant-reported accounts and community perceptions, not verified legal claims. Conclusion Findings highlight modifiable social, economic, service, and protection conditions shaping IDP mental health across ecological levels. Prevention should strengthen trauma-informed mental health and psychosocial support, family, peer, and community networks, education access, livelihood opportunities, GBV prevention and confidential referral pathways, and policy responses that embed IDP well-being within humanitarian systems .