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  • Psychotherapy In The Nigerian Armed Forces: Promoting Resilience Among Military Personnel And Their Families

    Psychotherapy In The Nigerian Armed Forces: Promoting Resilience Among Military Personnel And Their Families

    Abstract

    The Nigerian Armed Forces involved in military operations against Boko Haram insurgency
    and terrorism in the North East, Nigeria have not developed formalized strategies aimed at
    promoting the mental health and well-being of its personnel and their families.
    Unfortunately, protracted exposure to insurgency attacks and the military counter actions
    undertaken to contain these attacks have placed great stresses on the military personnel and
    their families who have already been challenged by the frequent deployments and absences
    of their spouses from home. These stresses are often presented in the form of social and
    emotional problems amongst children at home and in school. The wives of service personnel
    on the other hand are most vulnerable to depression and other psychological consequences
    of insurgency attacks as they take on more family responsibilities due to the death or
    physical and psychological incapacitation of their husbands. The personnel on their part
    face other physical and mental health issues such as traumatic experiences, physical injuries,
    depression, aggression, etc. Despite all these issues, the Nigerian Armed Forces have not put
    in place measures to ensure the provision of psychotherapeutic treatment thereby building
    and strengthening resilience for the personnel and their families. Psychotherapeutic
    interventions which concentrate on changing the ideologies of individuals, helping them
    resolve psychological issues and rehabilitation will ensure sound mental health and wellbeing
    for the military personnel and their families. It is in this regard that the study examined
    psychotherapy in the Nigerian Armed Forces for the purpose of developing resilience
    strategies among military personnel and their families

    Author:

    Philemon A. Agashua,

    Department of Psychology,

    Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna

    philagash@gmail.com