Effectiveness of life skills training based on self-care on mental health and quality of life of married Afghan women in Iran

Abstract

Background One of the major issues that immigrants, especially Afghan women face, is their self-care disability. This will cause problems in their mental health and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of life skills training based on self-care on mental health and quality of life of married Afghan women living in Taft. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest posttest design with control group. Statistical population was all married Afghan women living in Taft (Yazd province) of whom 60 women were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 as experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 8 sessions of life skills training based on self-care. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Quality of Life of the World Health Organization Questionnaire (WHOQ-BREF) were used to collect data. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. Results Results showed that following the intervention, the mean scores of quality of life (p < 0.0001) and mental health (p < 0.019) in the experimental group increased in the posttest compared to the pretest and the effect of intervention was significant. Conclusion Results suggested that providing a training opportunity for Afghan women to learn life skills based on self-care, enables them to realize their strengths and weaknesses and improve their quality of life and mental health.

Factors Affecting Diasporic Women’s Quality of Life: A Systematic Review

“… 24 , 25 , 29 , 30 , 32 This is because it affects acculturation stress and psychological well-being, 4 loneliness, 24 sadness and health, 28 mental health, 29 and emotions. 31 This is interpreted as empathy and interaction-based communication based on language skills. This enables emotional connection, which can improve mental health and lead to a better quality of life.…”

“…Social factors such as cultural stress, social relations, and social discrimination are important factors that affect the quality of life of women in diasporic. 24 , 29 , 31 This maladaptation in social relationships can lead to loneliness, hopelessness, anxiety, and sadness. 24 , 29 , 32 In particular, the predictor of social adjustment through racism was found to have an indirect effect on diasporic women’s QoL through its direct effects on stigmatization, depression, and social support.…”

“… 39 Predictors of social adaptation include acculturation stress, 24 emotional attachment to culture, nostalgia for and adaptation to culture, 25 social connectedness, social roles, 26 cultural identity, socialization, cultural literacy, 27 social networks, work management style, and social connectedness. 28 , 31 Social discrimination, socialization, environmental health, or social relationships and dysfunction are social predictors of stress, which can lead to emotional health problems, but there is research to suggest that religion can help. It can also lead to humiliation in severe cases, which needs to be addressed.…”

“…Physical health includes factors such as pain, muscle strain, and lack of physical activity. 25 Physical pain, such as chronic low back pain, and symptoms including muscle tension, bodily aches and pains, and physical inactivity are health factors 26 , 27 , 31 and the body has been shown to be connected to the mind as personal satisfaction has been linked to health-related predictors. 28 In addition, management situations that can lead to dangerous health conditions, chronic diseases, and conditions such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes also determine physical quality of life, which in turn affect the quality of life of diasporic women.…”

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

“…One was undertaken with 60 Afghan refugee women in Iran, showing improved social functioning and reduced mental health symptoms. 222 Another engaged 40 female students at Kabul University, showing that quality-of-life training, as a therapeutic approach, improved subjective well-being and life satisfaction. 223…”