Feasibility and acceptability of culturally adapted, evidence-informed psychological support on mental health symptoms and violence for conflict-affected populations in Afghanistan: a study protocol.
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| Title: | Feasibility and acceptability of culturally adapted, evidence-informed psychological support on mental health symptoms and violence for conflict-affected populations in Afghanistan: a study protocol. |
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| Authors: | Schwartz, Lyla (AUTHOR), Sijbrandij, Marit (AUTHOR), van der Ven, Els (AUTHOR), Alözkan Sever, Cansu (AUTHOR), Lane, Hannah (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | International Journal of Mental Health. 2026, Vol. 55 Issue 2, p294-313. 20p. |
| Subjects: | Problem solving in adolescence, Psychological distress, Violence, Research methodology evaluation, Mental illness, Statistical sampling, Pilot projects, Randomized controlled trials, Social support |
| Geographic Terms: | Afghanistan |
| Abstract: | A large portion of Afghanistan's population, particularly children and youth, has experienced prolonged conflict, poverty, and displacement, leading to significant psychological distress. As these children grow into adulthood, distress often manifests in mental health symptoms and, at times, in violent behaviors. With limited mental health professionals and strong stigma around mental health in Afghanistan, culturally adapted, evidence-based interventions are urgently needed. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted version of Problem Management Plus with an Emotional Processing module (PM+ EP) for reducing psychological distress among young Afghans. A secondary aim is to explore the relationship between mental health symptoms—such as depression, anxiety, aggression, and impaired functioning—and violent behaviors. This pilot randomized controlled trial will include 60 participants aged 16–30 in Afghanistan, all presenting high levels of distress and impaired functioning as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the PM+ EP intervention (n = 30) or be placed on a waiting list (n = 30). The intervention will be delivered by Afghan facilitators with healthcare or social work backgrounds. Assessments will occur at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1, 4 weeks later), and follow-up (T2, 3 months post-intervention) using self-report measures. A qualitative process evaluation will follow. This study will be the first to assess the feasibility and acceptability of PM+ EP in Afghanistan. It will also contribute insights into how mental health symptoms relate to violent behaviors in conflict-affected youth. HIGHLIGHTS: Mental health needs among conflict-affected youth in Afghanistan remain largely unmet, with limited services available and substantial barriers to accessing care. A culturally adapted, task-shifted PM+ EP intervention is being piloted to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes among distressed youth in a fragile setting. Early findings will contribute to the evidence base for scalable, trauma-informed psychological support in low-resource and conflict-affected environments, with implications for reducing both psychological distress and violent behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | A large portion of Afghanistan's population, particularly children and youth, has experienced prolonged conflict, poverty, and displacement, leading to significant psychological distress. As these children grow into adulthood, distress often manifests in mental health symptoms and, at times, in violent behaviors. With limited mental health professionals and strong stigma around mental health in Afghanistan, culturally adapted, evidence-based interventions are urgently needed. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted version of Problem Management Plus with an Emotional Processing module (PM+ EP) for reducing psychological distress among young Afghans. A secondary aim is to explore the relationship between mental health symptoms—such as depression, anxiety, aggression, and impaired functioning—and violent behaviors. This pilot randomized controlled trial will include 60 participants aged 16–30 in Afghanistan, all presenting high levels of distress and impaired functioning as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the PM+ EP intervention (n = 30) or be placed on a waiting list (n = 30). The intervention will be delivered by Afghan facilitators with healthcare or social work backgrounds. Assessments will occur at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1, 4 weeks later), and follow-up (T2, 3 months post-intervention) using self-report measures. A qualitative process evaluation will follow. This study will be the first to assess the feasibility and acceptability of PM+ EP in Afghanistan. It will also contribute insights into how mental health symptoms relate to violent behaviors in conflict-affected youth. HIGHLIGHTS: Mental health needs among conflict-affected youth in Afghanistan remain largely unmet, with limited services available and substantial barriers to accessing care. A culturally adapted, task-shifted PM+ EP intervention is being piloted to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes among distressed youth in a fragile setting. Early findings will contribute to the evidence base for scalable, trauma-informed psychological support in low-resource and conflict-affected environments, with implications for reducing both psychological distress and violent behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00207411 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/00207411.2025.2595363 |
