The Effects of Prolonged Exposure to Combat on the Mental Health of Nigerian Army Personnel Involved in Long-Term Combat Operations

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and severity of mental health disorders among Nigerian military personnel, with a focus on the interaction effects between combat exposure duration and mental health outcomes. A sample of 100 male soldiers (age range: 18–45 years; M = 28.5, SD = 5.2) with combat experience ranging from 8 months to 3 years (M = 1.8 years, SD = 0.9) participated in the study. Participants completed three standardized psychological measures: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). A cross-sectional research design was employed to assess symptom severity and identify contributing factors. Results revealed significant mental health burdens, with 57% of soldiers reporting moderate-to-extreme depression, 65% exhibiting clinical anxiety, and 50% meeting criteria for PTSD. Notably, combat duration showed a dose-response relationship with symptom severity—soldiers deployed beyond 2 years had 35% higher PTSD scores (*p* < .05) and 28% elevated depression scores (p < .01) compared to shorter deployments. Interaction effects emerged between combat intensity and duration, where personnel with prolonged high-intensity exposure demonstrated 2.3× greater severe PTSD risk. Unit cohesion moderated these effects, reducing PTSD severity by 32% in well-supported groups. The study highlights critical gaps in mental health support, with 70% lacking access to counselling and 85% receiving no post-deployment debriefing. These findings underscore the urgent need for trauma-informed interventions, including routine mental health screenings, enhanced psychoeducation, and unit-based peer support programs tailored to soldiers’ combat exposure profiles.