Psychosocial Counseling in Afghanistan

Overview

The assessment intends to investigate the efficacy of psychosocial counseling for the treatment of help seeking individuals with psychosocial problems in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. Treatment was administered by local counselors who had received specific education and training

Study Type

  • Study Type: Observational
  • Study Design
  • Study Primary Completion Date: July 2010

Detailed Description

Psychosocial stress due to conflict and war causes major mental health problems in many resource-poor countries, especially those coping with ongoing war-like conditions. There is a lack of intervention research in these population. The purpose of this assessment was to examine whether the type of psychosocial counseling developed by our group is effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and significantly increasing the quality of life of help-seeking Afghans.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Psychosocial counseling
    • the group received annualized treatment of psychosocial counseling
  • Medication
    • this group received medical treatment by the local medical doctor

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • HSCL 25
    • Time Frame: Symptoms were assessed at baseline
    • Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety measured with the HSCL 25
  • HSCL 25
    • Time Frame: 3-month follow-up
    • Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety measured with the HSCL 25
  • HSCL 25
    • Time Frame: Assessment at 12-month-follow-up
    • Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety measured with the HSCL 25

Secondary Measures

  • M.I.N.I. (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview)
    • Time Frame: Symptoms were assessed at baseline
    • To assess, if the patients have a current Major Depression, the depression section from the “Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview” (Sheehan, & Janavs, 1998) was included
  • Psychosocial stressors and coping mechanism
    • Time Frame: Symptoms were assessed at baseline
    • Psychosocial stressors and coping mechanism of the participants were investigated in expert interviews
  • Screening for Depression
    • Time Frame: Symptoms were assessed at baseline
    • A culturally grounded assessment measure developed in close collaboration with a team of Afghan experts explored current depressive symptoms
  • M.I.N.I. (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview)
    • Time Frame: Assessment at 3-month-follow-up
    • To assess, if the patients have a current Major Depression, the depression section from the “Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview” (Sheehan, & Janavs, 1998) was included
  • M.I.N.I (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview)
    • Time Frame: Assessment at 12-month-follow-up
    • To assess, if the patients have a current Major Depression, the depression section from the “Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview” (Sheehan, & Janavs, 1998) was included
  • Psychosocial stressors and coping mechanism
    • Time Frame: Assessment at 3-month-follow-up
    • Psychosocial stressors and coping mechanism of the participants were investigated in expert interviews
  • Psychosocial stressors and coping mechanism
    • Time Frame: Assessment at 12-month-follow-up
    • Psychosocial stressors and coping mechanism of the participants were investigated in expert interviews
  • Screening for Depression
    • Time Frame: Assessment at 3-month-follow-up
    • A culturally grounded assessment measure developed in close collaboration with a team of Afghan experts explored current depressive symptoms
  • Screening for Depression
    • Time Frame: Assessment at 12-month-follow-up
    • A culturally grounded assessment measure developed in close collaboration with a team of Afghan experts explored current depressive symptoms

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Diagnosis of mental health problems by a local medical doctor Exclusion Criteria:

  • Schizophrenia – Mental retardation

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 14 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • University of Konstanz
  • Collaborator
    • European Union
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Prof. Dr. Thomas Elbert, Sarah Ayoughi, University of Konstanz
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Thomas Elbert, Dr., Principal Investigator, University of Konstanz
    • Sarah Ayoughi, Principal Investigator, University of Konstanz

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