Developing a culturally relevant counselling psychology degree programme in Afghanistan: Results from a DACUM study

Bragin, Martha; Akesson, Bree; Ahmady, Mariam; Akbari, Sediqa; Ayubi, Bezhan; Faqiri, Raihana; Faiq, Zekrullah; Oriya, Spozhmay; Karimi, Basir Ahmad; Azizi, Basir Ahmad; Barakzai, Fareshteh; Noori, Hikmatullah; Sharifi, Kristina; Rasooli, Mohammad Hadi; Ahmadi, Sayed Jafar; Wolfson, Hannah; Seddiqi, Sataruddin

doi:10.4103/intv.intv_54_18

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Regarding cultural adaptation, therapy concepts for refugees in Germany could be improved by drawing from research from countries of origin. During the last decades a considerable number of research papers have emerged which explore attitudes and perspectives towards mental health (e.g., Afghanistan: Bragin et al, 2018;Miller et al, 2008;comparison of several Arab societies: El-Islam, 2008;Rudwan & Al Owidha, 2019;Nigeria: Adewuya & Makanjuola, 2008;Gureje et al, 2005). These could provide a broad basis for informing research and practice about the role of stigma towards mental health, explanation of causes for mental disorders, and the diverging role of religious beliefs for understanding mental disorders (El-Islam, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, and in line with this, elements of approaches to healing and therapy could be examined and possibly implemented into therapy for refugees in Germany. Depending on their background and needs, these could range from exploring the role of religious elements, like Qur'anic recitation (Ansari Jaberi et al, 2005;Babamohamadi et al, 2015), to understanding the complexity of gender roles (Bragin et al, 2018) or embedding social exchange and narration in psychotherapy (Flueckiger, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Research on psychotherapy for refugees in Germany: A systematic review on its transdisciplinary and transregional opening

Kleinschmitt

2024

Transcult Psychiatry

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Recently, an increasing amount of research has focused on adapting psychotherapy concepts for refugees moving to Germany. For a long time, research from disciplines like anthropology and cultural studies has problematized the eurocentrism of psychology's theoretical premises and methodologies. Currently, scholarship around Global Mental Health and decolonization emphasizes how knowledge production from various disciplines and regions relates to this topic and could contribute to improving respective approaches. Consequently, this review aims at evaluating the actual transdisciplinary and transregional opening of studies on psychotherapeutic interventions for refugees in Germany. It provides a theoretically as well as empirically informed basis for looking at disciplinary premises, practices, and boundaries as well as the regional locatedness of respective research. Fourteen relevant studies, published between January 1, 2007 and March 4, 2022, were identified by systematically searching the databases PubPsych and Web of Science. The studies were reviewed regarding study design, choice and characterization of target groups, regional origin and target group specific adaptations of the therapeutic concepts, integration of elements from and connections to other disciplines, and use of references to scholarship from the Global South. The findings show a pronounced focus on the development of trauma therapy approaches and moreover a broad variety of concept adaptations in response to the assumed characteristics, situations, and needs of the target groups. While the findings reveal a complex transregional pattern of development and adaptation of the therapeutic concepts, transdisciplinary opening and reference to the Global South appear scarce.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on psychotherapy for refugees in Germany: A systematic review on its transdisciplinary and transregional opening

Kleinschmitt

2024

Transcult Psychiatry

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“…171 The Ghazanfar Institute also upgraded its curriculum to establish a 2-year diploma for health social counsellors, through which 190 people graduated up until 2021. Programmes in counselling psychology were also introduced into public universities by the Ministry of Higher Education, 161,172,173 with 170 counselling psychologists (68% female) receiving a Bachelor's degree. Thus, in 2018, a Model Counselling Centre was established at Kabul University, playing a key role in improving students' counselling and psychotherapeutic skills.…”

Section: Mental Health Services In Afghanistanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Afghan mental health and psychosocial well-being: thematic review of four decades of research and interventions

Alemi,

Panter-Brick,

Oriya

et al. 2023

BJPsych open

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Background Four decades of war, political upheaval, economic deprivation and forced displacement have profoundly affected both in-country and refugee Afghan populations. Aims We reviewed literature on mental health and psychosocial well-being, to assess the current evidence and describe mental healthcare systems, including government programmes and community-based interventions. Method In 2022, we conducted a systematic search in Google Scholar, PTSDpubs, PubMed and PsycINFO, and a hand search of grey literature (N = 214 papers). We identified the main factors driving the epidemiology of mental health problems, culturally salient understandings of psychological distress, coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours, and interventions for mental health and psychosocial support. Results Mental health problems and psychological distress show higher risks for women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and youth. Issues of suicidality and drug use are emerging problems that are understudied. Afghans use specific vocabulary to convey psychological distress, drawing on culturally relevant concepts of body–mind relationships. Coping strategies are largely embedded in one's faith and family. Over the past two decades, concerted efforts were made to integrate mental health into the nation's healthcare system, train cadres of psychosocial counsellors, and develop community-based psychosocial initiatives with the help of non-governmental organisations. A small but growing body of research is emerging around psychological interventions adapted to Afghan contexts and culture. Conclusions We make four recommendations to promote health equity and sustainable systems of care. Interventions must build cultural relevance, invest in community-based psychosocial support and evidence-based psychological interventions, maintain core mental health services at logical points of access and foster integrated systems of care.

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Afghanistan and Autism

Akbari¹

2020

Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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The people of Afghanistan continue to hurt from the effects of decades of invasion and civil war. While there have been some efforts to support the physically disabled population of Afghanistan, there is less support for individuals with intellectual and mental disabilities; specifically, there is no support for children and adults with autism. This entry begins by introducing the history of autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) and the various legislative and political efforts in place in Afghanistan to support general disabilities. Furthermore, it addresses the lack of support for people specifically with autism in Afghanistan in regard to research and treatment of the condition. This is measured by the lack of nationwide recognition and awareness of autism, screening and diagnosis, and treatment for those afflicted with it. In addition to recognizing the severe lack of mental health resources in general, this entry also addresses the various cultural and social perceptual issues with autism and mental disabilities in Afghanistan. The aim of this entry is to acknowledge and understand the deep historical, political, economic, and social influences individuals and families affected by autism face in Afghanistan so that the country and its allies may begin to effectively tackle autism.

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Developing a culturally relevant counselling psychology degree programme in Afghanistan: Results from a DACUM study

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Research on psychotherapy for refugees in Germany: A systematic review on its transdisciplinary and transregional opening

Research on psychotherapy for refugees in Germany: A systematic review on its transdisciplinary and transregional opening

Afghan mental health and psychosocial well-being: thematic review of four decades of research and interventions

Afghanistan and Autism

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