Impact of Post Displacement Anxiety Therapy on Emotional Adjustment of Children in Displaced Communities in Plateau State

This research was conducted to assess the impact of cognitive processing therapy on emotional adjustment of children in displaced communities in Plateau State. The research design adopted for this study was the quasi experimental design. The population for this study comprised of 2,345 internally displaced pupils in three education zones of Plateau state. One hundred pupil aged 6 – 12 were selected for the study using simple random sampling technique. The Child emotional adjustment scale was used to assess the impact of the therapy. With reliability of 0.82. Therapy lasted for six weeks and data was collected was analysed Findings reveal that Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) sessions had significant mean impact on emotional adjustment of primary school pupils in displaced communities as children adjusted in areas of temper control, social assertiveness and mood repair. Conversely, CPT treatment showed marginal mean adjustment in anxiety control for primary school pupils in displaced communities. It was concluded that Child emotional adjustment scale (CEAS) and Cognitive Processing Therapy were useful in treating emotional adjustment of children suffering trauma as a result of displacement. It was recommended that: Children from displaced communities in Plateau state face provided with Cognitive Processing Therapy by local state and Federal Governments in Nigeria to solve the emotional adjustments needs of children in displaced communities.