Internally Displaced Persons’ Experiences and the Predictors of Social Support and Adjustment to Displacement in Northeast Nigeria: A Mixed-Method Study

Abstract

Boko Haram insurgency is a significant problem in Nigeria, leading to the loss of lives and properties and the displacement of hundreds of people. This study explored the internally displaced persons (IDPs) adjustment experiences and the predictors (socioeconomic factors and religiosity scale) of social support for adjustment to displacement in Northeast Nigeria. A mixed-method approach guided this study. One hundred and eighty participants completed a survey on religiosity and perceived social support, of which 15 were qualitatively interviewed. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using multiple regression and thematic analysis. Older (B = 0.407), male (B= −1.203), married participants (B = −1.890), being Muslim (B = 0.136), having high (secondary and tertiary) education level (B = 0.423), and income (B = 0.019), were significantly associated with receiving social support for adjustment to displacement. Across the four dimensions of the religiosity scale, only preoccupation (B = 0.49) was significantly associated with social support among IDPs. Six themes emerged from the experience of IDPs regarding social support, and they include: adapting in camps and not adjusting is the ideal concept; men adapt faster than women; younger capers adapt faster than older campers; concern for their children’s education fosters adaptation; family/friends were emotionally/financially supportive and limited government support. Some of these predictors are modifiable, such as religious preoccupation, social support, income, and education; therefore, strategies to leverage these modifiable predictors in reducing the impact of displacement on individual’s health and wellbeing are recommended.