A QUALITATIVE PERSPECTIVE OF COPING STRATEGIES OF FAMILIES IN POST-CONFLICT COMMUNITIES AND SERVICES OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN PLATEAU STATE
Grace Jonathan Dogo , Gray Goziem Ejikeme,PhD and Janet Plang,PhD
Volume 11 Issue 1
Abstract
The devastation caused by violent conflicts lead to significant psychosocial and socioeconomic challenges including loss of lives, property, livelihood, displacements, horrifying encounters and shattered communities. These adversities hinder families’ abilities to develop effective coping strategies and fulfil their roles in socializing and nurturing their children. While some families manage to navigate these challenges, many others are overwhelmed by the consequences of conflict exposure. This study is to identify the coping strategies employed by families in post-conflict communities and assess how social workers’ services can enhance these strategies through effective psychosocial services. Data was gathered through focus group discussions (FGD) with family members, including men, women and youth as well as key informant interviews with local government social welfare officers, community and religious leaders in post-conflict communities. The qualitative data, was analyzed through thematic analysis facilitated by the Nvivo computer application which aided in developing a comprehensive qualitative analysis. Findings revealed that families utilize negative coping including drugs and substance abuse, transactional sex, marital separations and divorce while positive coping involves family unity, collective income-generating activities and support from extended family members. The study recommends a multileveled evidence-based social workers’ service framework that encompasses psychosocial, psychotherapy, vocational and community rehabilitation and interdisciplinary collaboration to bolster positive coping mechanisms at individual, family, group and community levels. Keywords: Coping Strategies, Families, Social Workers, Post-Conflicts, Psychosocial Support, Communities
Download Paper