PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF BANDITRY AMONG CHRISTIANS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of banditry on the psychological well-being of Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria, employing a descriptive survey design. A total of 735 respondents were randomly selected from a population of 3,765,843, and data were gathered using a structured questionnaire, with analysis conducted through mean scores. Findings revealed that banditry has significantly affected the mental health of Christians in the state, resulting in trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, disrupted worship, and weakened communal bonds. The research concludes that the psychological and spiritual well-being of Christians has been deeply undermined by ongoing violence. To address this challenge, the study calls for collaborative action between the government and religious leaders urging the establishment of trauma recovery centers to provide professional psychological care and the integration of faith-based counseling into church programs to foster healing and resilience.