Benue State University, Makurdi

EFFICACY OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG VICTIMS OF BOKO-HARAM IN JALINGO NORTHEAST NIGERIA

Tomen Egbe Agu, Tomen Ezekiel Agu, Joel Rimande Ubandoma, Abigail Moses Embwa

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of psychological distress among victims of Boko–Haram terrorism in Jalingo, Taraba State, North Eastern Nigeria. A repeated measures design (pretest and post-test) was used. A total of 67 participants consisting of 18 (26.9%) males and 49 (73.1%) females Internally Displaced Persons with their ages ranging from 12 – 65 years were purposively selected and assigned to participate in the study. The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy had 12 sessions for the period of 13 weeks of therapy. The National Stressful Events Survey Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Short Scale (NSESSS) and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS) were used for data collection. Simple Percentage and Chi – Square test were used for data analysis. Results indicate a significantly higher numbers of Internally Displaced Persons suffered more symptoms of psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD before than after successive sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This implies Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is an effective approach in the management of psychological distress. Also, there were significant variations in symptoms suffered by Internally Displaced Persons indicating different level of symptom comorbidity among Internally Displaced Persons. This implies that Internally Displaced Persons suffered more than one form of psychological distress at the same time. Specifically, stress and anxiety were found as preconditions for depression and PTSD. Based on the findings, it was concluded that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is an effective therapeutic approach and thus recommended for treating psychological distress among Internally Displaced Persons.

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE (CLICK)