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Kim S, Hwang J, Lee JH, Park J, Kim HJ, Son Y, Oh H, Smith L, Kang J, Fond G, Boyer L, Rahmati M, Tully MA, Pizzol D, Udeh R, Lee J, Lee H, Lee S, Yon DK. Psychosocial alterations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the global burden of anxiety and major depressive disorders in adolescents, 1990-2021: challenges in mental health amid socioeconomic disparities. World J Pediatr 2024:10.1007/s12519-024-00837-8. [PMID: 39162949 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-024-00837-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a global health crisis, profoundly impacted all aspects of daily life. Adolescence, a pivotal stage of psychological and social development, is heavily influenced by the psychosocial and socio-cultural context. Hence, it is imperative to thoroughly understand the psychosocial changes adolescents experienced during the pandemic and implement effective management initiatives. DATA SOURCES We examined the incidence rates of depressive and anxiety disorders among adolescents aged 10-19 years globally and regionally. We utilized data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 to compare pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) periods. Our investigation covered 204 countries and territories across the six World Health Organization regions. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar, employing search terms such as "psychosocial", "adolescent", "youth", "risk factors", "COVID-19 pandemic", "prevention", and "intervention". RESULTS During the pandemic, the mental health outcomes of adolescents deteriorated, particularly in terms of depressive and anxiety disorders. According to GBD 2021, the incidence rate of anxiety disorders increased from 720.26 [95% uncertainty intervals (UI) = 548.90-929.19] before the COVID-19 pandemic (2018-2019) to 880.87 per 100,000 people (95% UI = 670.43-1132.58) during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). Similarly, the incidence rate of major depressive disorder increased from 2333.91 (95% UI = 1626.92-3138.55) before the COVID-19 pandemic to 3030.49 per 100,000 people (95% UI = 2096.73-4077.73) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This worsening was notably pronounced in high-income countries (HICs). Rapid environmental changes, including heightened social anxiety, school closures, economic crises, and exacerbated racism, have been shown to adversely affect the mental well-being of adolescents. CONCLUSIONS The abrupt shift to remote learning and the absence of in-person social interactions heightened feelings of loneliness, anxiety, sadness, and stress among adolescents. This change magnified existing socioeconomic disparities, posing additional challenges. These complexities profoundly impact adolescents' well-being, especially vulnerable groups like those from HICs, females, and minorities. Acknowledging the underreporting bias in low- to middle-income countries highlights the importance of addressing these mental health alterations in assessments and interventions within these regions as well. Urgent interventions are crucial as the pandemic-induced mental stress may have lasting effects on adolescents' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soeun Kim
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jiyoung Hwang
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jun Hyuk Lee
- Health and Human Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jaeyu Park
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeon Jin Kim
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yejun Son
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hans Oh
- Suzanne Dworak Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jiseung Kang
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guillaume Fond
- Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Boyer
- Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Masoud Rahmati
- Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, Lorestan University, Khoramabad, Iran
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Vali-E-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mark A Tully
- School of Medicine, Ulster University, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Damiano Pizzol
- Health Unit Eni, Maputo, Mozambique
- Health Unit, Eni, San Donato Milanese, Italy
| | - Raphael Udeh
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Jinseok Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University College of Electronics and Information, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Hayeon Lee
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University College of Electronics and Information, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Sooji Lee
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, 23 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
| | - Dong Keon Yon
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
- Department of Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, 23 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, 23 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, South Korea.
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Alemi Q, Panter-Brick C, Oriya S, Ahmady M, Alimi AQ, Faiz H, Hakim N, Sami Hashemi SA, Manaly MA, Naseri R, Parwiz K, Sadat SJ, Sharifi MZ, Shinwari Z, Ahmadi SJ, Amin R, Azimi S, Hewad A, Musavi Z, Siddiqi AM, Bragin M, Kashino W, Lavdas M, Miller KE, Missmahl I, Omidian PA, Trani JF, van der Walt SK, Silove D, Ventevogel P. Afghan mental health and psychosocial well-being: thematic review of four decades of research and interventions. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e125. [PMID: 37424447 PMCID: PMC10375890 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Qais Alemi
- School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, California, USA
| | - Catherine Panter-Brick
- Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and Department of Anthropology, Yale University, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Mariam Ahmady
- Department of Counselling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kabul University, Afghanistan
| | | | - Hafizullah Faiz
- Jalalabad Regional Management Office, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, Jalalabad, Afghanistan
| | - Nadia Hakim
- Migration Health Unit, International Organization for Migration, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | | | - Roman Naseri
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, International Medical Corps, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Sayed Javid Sadat
- Mental Health and Peacebuilding Program, International Assistance Mission, Herat, Afghanistan
| | | | - Zalmai Shinwari
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, HealthNet TPO, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Rohullah Amin
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Helmut-Schmidt University, Germany
| | - Sayed Azimi
- Independent Mental Health Specialist, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Atal Hewad
- Department of Ipso Academy and Quality Management, International Psychosocial Organisation, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Zeinab Musavi
- Behrawan Research and Psychology Services Organization, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Martha Bragin
- Silberman School of Social Work, The City University of New York, New York, USA
| | - Wataru Kashino
- Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michalis Lavdas
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Inge Missmahl
- International Psychosocial Organisation, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | | | - Sarah Kate van der Walt
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, Première Urgence – Aide Médicale Internationale, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Derrick Silove
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Ventevogel
- Public Health Section, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
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Moitra M, Owens S, Hailemariam M, Wilson KS, Mensa-Kwao A, Gonese G, Kamamia CK, White B, Young DM, Collins PY. Global Mental Health: Where We Are and Where We Are Going. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2023; 25:301-311. [PMID: 37256471 PMCID: PMC10230139 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-023-01426-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent findings in global mental health along several domains including socioeconomic determinants, inequities, funding, and inclusion in global mental health research and practice. RECENT FINDINGS Mental illness continues to disproportionately impact vulnerable populations and treatment coverage continues to be low globally. Advances in integrating mental health care and adopting task-shifting are accompanied by implementation challenges. The mental health impact of recent global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geo-political events, and environmental change is likely to persist and require coordinated care approaches for those in need of psychosocial support. Inequities also exist in funding for global mental health and there has been gradual progress in terms of building local capacity for mental health care programs and research. Lastly, there is an increasing effort to include people with lived experiences of mental health in research and policy shaping efforts. The field of global mental health will likely continue to be informed by evidence and perspectives originating increasingly from low- and middle-income countries along with ongoing global events and centering of relevant stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Modhurima Moitra
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Shanise Owens
- Department of Public Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Charles Stewart Mott, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Maji Hailemariam
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Katherine S Wilson
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Augustina Mensa-Kwao
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Gloria Gonese
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Christine K Kamamia
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Belinda White
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Dorraine M Young
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Pamela Y Collins
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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Kovess-Masfety V, Frounfelker RL, Keyes K, Karam E, Sabawoon A, Sarwari BA, Husky M, Kaur N, Rousseau C. Education as a protective factor for mental health risks among youth living in highly dangerous regions in Afghanistan. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2023; 17:12. [PMID: 36691033 PMCID: PMC9869819 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00548-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children in Afghanistan live in dangerous areas, and have been exposed to traumatic events and chaotic education. Progress has been made on access to education for girls who were the most affected by traditional attitudes against engagement in education. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to evaluate the mental health of Afghan children living in regions of conflict and the association of mental health with school attendance for girls and boys. METHOD The study included 2707 school aged children in eight regions of Afghanistan (16 provinces) residing in households recruited through a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling strategy in 2017. The level of terrorist threat was evaluated by the intensity of terrorist attacks recorded that year in each province. Child mental health was assessed with the parental report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) along with information on school attendance, sociodemographic characteristics and geographic location. RESULTS A total of 52.75% of children had scores above threshold for the SDQ total difficulties score, 39.19% for emotional difficulties, 51.98% for conduct challenges, and 15.37% for hyperactivity/inattention. Peer relationship problems were high (82.86%) and 12.38% reported that these problems impacted daily life. The level of terrorist threat was associated with SDQ total difficulties (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 4.08, P < 0.0001), with youth in regions with high levels of terrorist threat more likely to have problems than youth in regions with low or medium levels of danger, independent of region and ethnicity. School attendance was negatively associated with emotional symptoms (AOR = 0.65, P < 0.0001) and mental health difficulties with impairment (AOR = 0.67, P = 0.007), but positively associated with peer relationships difficulties (AOR = 1.96, P > 0.0001). Conduct (AOR = 1.66, P < .0001) and SDQ total difficulties (AOR = 1.22, P = 0.019) were higher among boys. Overall, gender did not modify the relationship between school attendance and child mental health. CONCLUSION Attending school is essential for children's mental health, across gender, and should be supported as a priority in Afghanistan despite the return of the Taliban.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Kovess-Masfety
- grid.10988.380000 0001 2173 743XLPPS, University of Paris, Paris, France ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - R. L. Frounfelker
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada ,grid.259029.50000 0004 1936 746XDepartment of Community and Population Health, College of Health, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA USA
| | - K. Keyes
- grid.21729.3f0000000419368729Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
| | - E. Karam
- grid.429040.bInstitute for Development, Research, Advocacy & Applied Care (IDRAAC), Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.416659.90000 0004 1773 3761Department of Psychiatry & Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, St. George Hospital University Medical Center University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ajmal Sabawoon
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. .,Governance Institute of Afghanistan (GI-A), Kabul, Afghanistan. .,Kabul University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kabul, Afghanistan.
| | - Bashir Ahmad Sarwari
- grid.490670.cDepartment of Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Primary Health Care Directorate, Ministry of Public Health, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - M. Husky
- grid.412041.20000 0001 2106 639XLaboratoire de Psychologie EA4139, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - N. Kaur
- grid.21729.3f0000000419368729Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY USA
| | - C. Rousseau
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Sabawoon A, Keyes KM, Karam E, Kovess-Masfety V. Associations between traumatic event experiences, psychiatric disorders, and suicidal behavior in the general population of Afghanistan: findings from Afghan National Mental Health Survey. Inj Epidemiol 2022; 9:31. [PMID: 36203184 PMCID: PMC9535941 DOI: 10.1186/s40621-022-00403-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The role of traumatic event exposure and psychiatric disorders as central risk factors for suicidal behavior has been established, but there are limited data in high conflict regions with significant trauma exposures such as Afghanistan. Methods A nationally representative, cross-sectional survey was conducted through systematic stratified random sampling in 8 regions of Afghanistan in 2017 (N = 4474). Well-validated instruments were used to establish trauma exposure, psychiatric disorders. Death preference, suicidal ideation, plan, and attempts were assessed. Results In the total sample, 2.2% reported suicidal ideation in the past 12 months, and 7.1% of respondents reported that they had suicidal ideation at some point in their lives; 3.4% reported a suicide attempt. Women were at higher risk than men. All traumatic event exposures were strongly associated with suicidal behavior. Respondents who reported experiencing sexual violence were 4.4 times more likely to report lifetime suicide attempts (95% CI 2.3–8.4) and 5.8 times more likely to report past 12-month suicidal ideation (95% CI 2.7–12.4). Associations were strong and significant for all psychiatric disorders related to suicidal behavior. Respondents who met criteria for major depressive episodes (OR = 7.48; 95% CI 4.40–12.72), generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 6.61; 95% CI 3.54–12.33), and PTSD (OR = 7.26; 95% CI 4.21–12.51) had the highest risk of past 12-month suicidal ideation. Conclusion Traumatic event exposures and psychiatric disorders increase risk of suicidal behavior in the Afghan general population; women are at high risk. Interventions to reduce trauma exposure, including expansion of a mental health workforce in the region, are critically important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajmal Sabawoon
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine M Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Elie Karam
- Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy & Applied Care (IDRAAC), Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, St. George Hospital University Medical Center University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Viviane Kovess-Masfety
- Université de Paris, LPPS, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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