An Original Investigation into the Mechanisms of Resilience in Children Affected by Armed Conflict in North East Nigeria

Understanding the psychological mechanisms through which children maintain and rebuild resilience in the face of armed conflict exposure in North East Nigeria is critical for developing theoretically grounded counselling and psychosocial support programming, yet no comprehensive theoretical model of conflict-affected child resilience in this context exists. This study conducted an original investigation into resilience mechanisms among children aged 10 to 17 affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. A longitudinal mixed-methods design was employed over 18 months, combining quantitative resilience and wellbeing measurement with grounded theory qualitative investigation. Baseline and follow-up assessments of 320 conflict-affected children using the Child and Youth Resilience Measure and the PTSD Checklist for Children were supplemented by longitudinal in-depth interviews with 45 children and 20 caregivers, conducted in Hausa and Kanuri. Longitudinal quantitative analysis identified five protective factors associated with resilience maintenance: secure attachment with at least one caregiver, Islamic faith and spiritual practice, peer relationship continuity, structured daily routine, and school re-enrolment. Qualitative grounded theory analysis generated an original Process Model of Child Resilience in Conflict, proposing that resilience development in this context proceeds through four sequential but recursive phases: safety anchoring, meaning attribution, connection rebuilding, and future reimagining. Original theoretical contributions include the concept of theological reframing (using Islamic narrative to construct coherent meaning from conflict experience) as a culturally specific resilience mechanism. Expert review confirmed the model's theoretical originality and practical applicability for North East Nigeria.