Relationship Between Depression and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) in North-Western, Nigeria

Bello Garba Dagawa; Prof. Halima Sadiya Abubakar; Muktar Salihu; Nawait; PhD; Haliru Shehu PhD

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.12no7.2026.pg795.806

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Relationship Between Depression and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) in North-Western, Nigeria

Bello Garba Dagawa, Prof. Halima Sadiya Abubakar, Muktar Salihu, Nawait, PhD, Haliru Shehu PhD

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between depression and psychosocial adjustment among Internally Displaced Persons in North-Western Nigeria. IDPs in the region experience severe hardship resulting from armed banditry, communal conflicts, and forced displacement. This exposure to chronic camp conditions creates intense psychological distress that can impair psychosocial functioning in behavioural and cognitive domains. The study was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses, which were all in line with the research objectives: to determine the relationship between depression and the behavioural component of psychosocial adjustment among IDPs, and to determine the relationship between depression and the cognitive component of psychosocial adjustment among IDPs in North-Western Nigeria. A correlational research design was adopted. The study population was 6,598 IDPs. A sample of 364 respondents was determined using the Raosoft sample size calculator. Participants were IDPs who exhibited symptoms of depression based on the Beck Depression Inventory . Validated instruments were used for data collection. An adapted Psychosocial Adjustment Scale measured the behavioural and cognitive components. Content validity was established through expert review, while construct validity was supported by factor analysis. Reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding coefficients of α = 0.86 for the BDI and α = 0.83 for the Psychosocial Adjustment Scale. These reliability indices confirmed internal consistency and stability, indicating that the instruments were suitable for assessing the constructs among IDPs in North-Western Nigeria. Data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient statistics at a 0.05 alpha level of significance. Findings revealed moderate levels of depression (M = 28.12, SD = 5.89) and generally low psychosocial adjustment (M = 40.15, SD = 6.30). Significant negative correlations were found between depression and behavioural adjustment (r = -0.507, p < 0.01) and cognitive adjustment (r = -0.482, p < 0.01). Both null hypotheses were rejected. The study concludes that elevated depression levels are strongly and negatively associated with psychosocial adjustment among IDPs. Higher depression predicts poorer functioning. The study recommends that government should establish and fund dedicated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programs in IDP camps and formulate a national policy on mental health in emergencies to mitigate depression and foster resilience. Key Words: depression, Psychosocial Adjustment, Internally Displaced Persons

Keywords

depressionPsychosocial AdjustmentInternally Displaced Persons

References

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Relationship Between Depression and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) in North-Western, Nigeria

Abstract

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