Prevalence of Poor Mental Health Among Adolescents in Kabul, Afghanistan, as of November 2021

Abstract

This study has some limitations. Owing to heightened security, we were unable to adopt a random-sampling design, we could only recruit from Kabul, it was difficult to recruit girls, the sample size was limited, and the cross-sectional design precluded any inference of causation. Follow-up studies are needed to monitor the chronicity of psychiatric disorders among adolescents in Afghanistan.Adolescents in Afghanistan, especially girls, are experiencing significant mental health problems. However, Afghanistan's health system is struggling, and foreign humanitarian aid has diminished substantially. 1 There is a need for mental health interventions that are tailored to the current political and social environment in Afghanistan. Furthermore, clinicians treating recently arrived adolescent refugees from Afghanistan must consider the emotional and behavioral presentations within the context of the political, historical, and social experiences of this population.

Effect of the Memory Training for Recovery–Adolescent Intervention vs Treatment as Usual on Psychiatric Symptoms Among Adolescent Girls in Afghanistan

“…Secondary outcomes were assessed using the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (anxiety), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (psychiatric difficulties), and Afghan Symptom Checklist (culture-specific idioms of distress) . All measures have been used with Afghan youth, and internal consistency was good (McDonald ω > 0.78) (eMethods in Supplement 2).…”

“…A study conducted following these sociopolitical changes found, among a sample of 376 adolescents, approximately half met criteria for PTSD, depression, or anxiety, 15 with more girls vs boys meeting criteria for PTSD (79.4% vs 31.0%) and depression (79.4% vs 26.4%). 15 The developmental process of being an adolescent in Afghanistan can be very difficult. 9 Addressing psychiatric concerns during adolescence is imperative, 4,5,16 particularly as the wellbeing of adolescents and their ability to contribute to society is essential for the prosperity of Afghanistan.…”

“…The United Nations reported that “the needs of children of Afghanistan have never been greater” and “adolescents are struggling with anxieties and fears, in desperate need of mental health support.” Thus, questions rapidly emerged about the mental health of Afghan adolescents. A study conducted following these sociopolitical changes found, among a sample of 376 adolescents, approximately half met criteria for PTSD, depression, or anxiety, with more girls vs boys meeting criteria for PTSD (79.4% vs 31.0%) and depression (79.4% vs 26.4%) . The developmental process of being an adolescent in Afghanistan can be very difficult…”

The impact of mental health and psychosocial support programmes on children and young people’s mental health in the context of humanitarian emergencies in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The majority of the studies assessed the impact of MHPSS programmes in the aftermath of disasters. Only four studies aimed to measure the impact of MHPSS programmes on young women and girls (SHoaakazemi et al, 2012; O’callaghan et al, 2013; Robjant et al, 2019; Ahmadi et al, 2023) and only one study focused on former child soldiers and war-affected boys (McMullen et al, 2013). Most MHPSS programmes were delivered in school or classroom.…”

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

“…In a sample of 376 high school children in Kabul, approximately half met the criteria for a probable diagnosis of PTSD ( n = 194, 51.6%), depression ( n = 184, 48.9%) or anxiety ( n = 170, 45.2%). 58…”