Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Abused Children in Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Nigeria: An Intervention Study of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Children and adolescents have a high risk of experiencing traumatic events. The conditional prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic event is estimated to be high in children. Over the last two decades, insurgency has disrupted formal settlement with increased displacement of people from their ancestral homes to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. This has led to increased experiences of child abuse among children across all ages. Trauma instigated by the ugly experience has been found to produce fear, anxiety, suspicion, and mistrust, resulting to PTSD. Interpreting the plight of victims in the light of vengeance theory has therapeutic potential in reducing PTSD among abused children in Nigerian IDP camps. Combined with traditional psychosocial support, it may help restore emotional balance, dignity, and a sense of control to children whose lives have been shaped by violence and injustice. The present study sought the reductive effect of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural treatment (TF-CBT) on PTSD among abused children in IDP camps in the northeast, Nigeria. A total of 84 children aged 8–16 years (44.04% male) were screened for potentially traumatic events and PTSD symptoms, were apportioned into intervention (n = 42) and waitlisted control (n = 42) groups. For three months, participants had 12 sessions of TF-CBT. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed a sustained reduction in PTSD symptoms among abused children in the intervention group than those in the waitlisted control group and at a follow-up stage. Besides, it was found that gender and age do not have a significant influence on the effect of treatment on PTSD of abused children. It can be affirmed that TF-CBT can help children to recover from trauma associated with child abuse in all its forms in comparison with the control group. Hence, structured trauma intervention can be used for children undergoing trauma-induced experiences.