‘ECHOES FROM THE WARFRONT: LIVED EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG FRONTLINE NIGERIAN ARMY PERSONNEL

Abstract

This study employed a qualitative phenomenological research design to explore the lived experiences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among frontline Nigerian Army personnel in North-West Nigeria. Phenomenology was adopted to provide an in-depth understanding of how individuals interpret and make meaning of traumatic experiences. Data were collected using In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) guided by open-ended questions and flexible probing techniques to elicit rich narratives. A total of six non-commissioned officers diagnosed with PTSD participants were enumerated. Thematic analysis of the IDIs revealed four major themes: lived experiences of PTSD symptoms, meanings attached to traumatic experiences, coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours, and socio-cultural and military contextual influences. Findings showed that participants experienced intrusive memories, emotional dysregulation, cognitive impairment, and social withdrawal following combat exposure. Traumatic experiences were often normalized as part of military duty, yet deeply personalized through memories of loss, fear of death, and, in some cases, post-traumatic growth. Coping strategies ranged from withdrawal and avoidance to reliance on social support, while help-seeking was largely medicalized with limited psychosocial engagement. Military structure, prolonged deployment, and socio-cultural expectations of masculinity further shaped the manifestation and management of PTSD.

Keywords: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), frontline soldiers, Nigerian Army, combat exposure, mental health stigma, coping strategies