Hegemonic Masculinity and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Displaced Men in North-Eastern Nigeria

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 9, August 2026 | pp. 145–152

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001266

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Hegemonic Masculinity and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Displaced Men in North-Eastern Nigeria

Names of Authors: Dr. Mustapha B. Ibrahim¹, Dr. Fatima Z. Yerima²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria; ²Center for Gender Studies, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract:
Armed conflict and displacement disrupt not only community infrastructure but also deeply rooted gender identities. This study explores how the loss of socio-economic livelihood options shapes masculine identities and psychosocial adjustment among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North-Eastern Nigeria. Utilizing an ethnographic design inside three major IDP camps, data were gathered through 12 months of fieldwork, involving 55 narrative life-history interviews and 6 focus group sessions with displaced men aged 25 to 60. The empirical findings reveal that conflict-induced displacement strips men of their traditional roles as financial protectors and family providers, inducing severe crises of hegemonic masculinity. Descriptively, 82% of the participants exhibited symptoms of severe psychological distress and clinical depression, yet formal clinical help-seeking behaviors were avoided as they were viewed as signs of masculine vulnerability. The thematic analysis demonstrates that this internal identity friction regularly transforms into maladaptive behaviors, including chronic substance abuse and a 48% escalation in the perpetration of intimate partner violence within the camp tents (p < 0.05). Humanitarian aid architectures inadvertently worsen this dynamic by distributing resources directly to women, bypassing traditional male heads of households. The study concludes that post-conflict psychosocial programs must deconstruct rigid gender expectations. We advocate for peer-led male mental health support networks and gender-transformative livelihood programs within emergency humanitarian responses.

Keywords: Hegemonic Masculinity, Psychological Distress, Internal Displacement, Humanitarian Aid, Domestic Abuse, Nigeria

Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 20, 2026; Revised: April 18, 2026; Accepted: May 30, 2026; Published: August 31, 2026.

Citation: Ibrahim, B. M., & Yerima, Z. F. (2026). Hegemonic Masculinity and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Displaced Men in North-Eastern Nigeria. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(9), 145–152. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001266

Subscribe to read the full article: https://www.internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read