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Psychological Consequences of the Boko Haram Insurgency for Nigerian Children Paul Adebayo Adepelumi Walden University

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Psychological Consequences of the Boko Haram Insurgency for Nigerian Children Paul Adebayo Adepelumi Walden University Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Psychological Consequences of the Boko Haram Insurgency for Nigerian Children Paul Adebayo Adepelumi Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Cognitive Psychology Commons, and the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Paul A. Adepelumi has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Ian Cole, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Glenn Starks, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Eliesh Lane, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Psychological Consequences of the Boko Haram Insurgency for Nigerian Children by Paul A. Adepelumi MA, Coventry University, London, 2013 BL, Nigerian School of Law, 2009 LLB, University of Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration—Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace Walden University May 2018 Abstract Studies have examined the causes and impacts of terrorism in Nigeria; however, no known research has documented the psychological impacts of witnessing ongoing Boko Haram terrorist violence based on the lived experiences of Nigerian children. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the psychological consequences of the Boko Haram insurgency based on the lived experience of Nigerian children exposed to terrorism in Nigeria. The study's theoretical framework combined Piaget's theory of cognitive development and punctuated equilibrium theory. The central research question examined the adverse psychological effects of the Boko Haram insurgency for Nigerian children residing in Nigeria. Data for this study were collected through interviews from a purposeful sample of 8 participants who were exposed to the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and a review of literature that primarily included peer-reviewed articles and studies relevant to the psychological theories. Collaizi’s method of phenomenological analysis was employed for data analysis. Results showed that all the participants reported negative symptoms of mental health disorders, which did not lead to permanent mental health illnesses. Among the participants, the primary factors that moderated the symptoms, preventing progression to permanent mental health illnesses, were fasting and religious support. Implications for positive social change include giving voice to voiceless Nigerian children and providing the Nigerian populace, multilateral and bilateral organizations, and the Nigerian government with information necessary to understand the effects of terrorism on children and promote resilience in children who have experienced terrorism. Psychological Consequences of the Boko Haram Insurgency for Nigerian Children by Paul A. Adepelumi MA, Coventry University, London, 2013 BL, Nigerian School of Law, 2009 LLB, University of Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration—Terrorism, Mediation and Peace Walden University May 2018 Dedication It has been a long 4 years of endurance, heartache, pain, and many victories. Finally, victory is ascertained! The desire to earn a doctoral degree started from my undergraduate days, but how, where, and when I would earn it was what I did not know. However, in Jeremiah 1.5, God says, “Before I formed thee in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart, and I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” This scripture has been my motivation and encouragement since my undergraduate school days. I thank God for choosing me to make a difference in my family and the world! I also dedicate this page of my dissertation to my father, late Pa Gabriel Adepelumi, and my mother, Mrs. Hannah Adepelumi, who never had the opportunity to earn high school certificates but desired to farm to send me to school. Thank you for working me through the journey of life and to where I cannot regret. You worked very hard to give me the best. I thank you for raising me in the path of the Lord and being supportive. Your little boy is now a doctor! Adebusola, Adepelumi, my wife. What more can I say? I am so appreciative that God placed you in my life. I love you and look forward to renewing my love with you in the world beyond. Thank you for being there for me. No matter my anger, frustration, absence from home, and yelling, you never judge me. One love will continue to keep us together! Finally, I want to thank my children, Omofolawe, Inioluwa, and Eriigbagbo, for enduring my struggle, frequent reading, and absence from home. I love you and thank you for being supportive. Acknowledgments I would first like to acknowledge Dr. Ian Cole, my mentor and committee chair. You have been a source of inspiration and encouragement to me throughout my dissertation process. Thank you for believing in me, for the emails and phone calls, and for your willingness to be so selfless and genuine. I can honestly say that without your support and push, I would not be this far along, so thank you again for everything! To Dr. Glenn Starks, thank you for being my committee member. I cannot begin to thank you enough for stepping in at the right time. Your actions and support motivated me and helped me to believe that I could still achieve this dream, so I thank you from the deepest depth of my heart. Finally, this effort would not have been successful without Dr. Eliesh Lane, who served as my University Research Review (URR) member; thank you for providing the direction and guidance that helped sharpen the study’s focus. Thank you, lady, I am grateful! Table of Contents List of Tables ...........................................................................................................v List of Figures ........................................................................................................ vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ........................................................................1 Introduction ........................................................................................................1 Background ........................................................................................................3 Problem Statement ...........................................................................................12 Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................14 Research Questions ..........................................................................................15 Theoretical Framework for the Study ..............................................................16 Nature of the Study ..........................................................................................18 Definitions of Terms ........................................................................................19 Assumptions .....................................................................................................21 Scope and Delimitations ..................................................................................22 Limitations .......................................................................................................24 Significance of the Study .................................................................................27 Summary ..........................................................................................................29 Chapter 2: Literature Review .................................................................................31 Introduction ......................................................................................................31 Literature Search Strategy................................................................................32 Children and Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory ...................................34 Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET) ............................................................37 i A Brief History of Nigeria’s Psychosocial Situation .......................................39 The Psychological Consequences of Terrorism for Children ..........................44 The Psychological Consequences of Terrorism for Children’s Education ......54 Psychological Functioning and Coping for Children .......................................58 Barriers to Improving the Mental Health of Children .....................................70 Gaps in the Literature Review .........................................................................73 Summary ..........................................................................................................74 Chapter 3: Research Methods ................................................................................76
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