International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Communal conflicts remain a persistent source of psychosocial distress in many parts of Nigeria, yet the culturally grounded psychological experiences of survivors are underexplored.
Objective: This study examined the lived experiences of trauma, identity disruption, and coping among victims of communal crises from Akpoha, Amasiri and Oso Edda in Ebonyi State from a cross-cultural psychological perspective.
Method: A qualitative phenomenological design was adopted. Participants were purposively selected 30 adult survivors of Akpoha, Amasiri and Oso Edda communal conflict, and data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns across narratives.
Result: Findings reveal profound psychological trauma characterised by fear, grief, and emotional distress, alongside disruptions to personal and collective identity. Survivors employed culturally embedded coping strategies such as spirituality, communal support, economic engagement, and meaning-making to manage distress.
Conclusion: The study concludes that communal conflict produces enduring psychological and identity-related consequences, while culture plays a central role in shaping coping and resilience.
Unique Contribution: The study contributes culturally grounded empirical evidence to cross-cultural psychology by highlighting indigenous coping mechanisms among conflict survivors in the part of Nigeria investigated.
Key Recommendation: The study recommends that psychosocial interventions should be provided by mental health professionals and such interventions should be culturally sensitive, community-based, and integrated into post-conflict recovery frameworks.