Anxiety, Depression and Resilience among War-Affected and Non-War- Affected Sudanese Female University Students: A Comparative Study

• Main Authors: Alia Badri (Author), Rik Crutzen (Author), H.W. Van den Borne (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Archives of Depression and Anxiety - Peertechz Publications, 2017-10-05.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> To investigate and compare mental health status between war-affected Darfuri and non-war-affected Omdurmani undergraduate students at Ahfad University for Women in Omdurman city, Sudan. </p><p><strong>Method:</strong> A cross-sectional study was used to assess and compare the anxiety, depression (HSCL-25) and resilience scores (Resilience Scale) and related demographic variables for 116 Darfuri and 299 Omdurmani students. </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Overall anxiety, depression and resilience scores varied minimally between Darfuri and Omdurmani students. Depression scores were negatively related with resilience scores, but not with anxiety scores. Younger participants (15-20 years) and those who had a parent deceased were more anxious, while those whose father was a blue-collar worker (indicating low socio-economic status) were more depressed, but also more resilient. Furthermore, participants whose tuition fees were paid by their parents (indicating a higher socio-economic status) scored lower on resilience. </p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> This study provides evidence of considerably high anxiety and depression scores, and moderate resilience levels amongst the sample. The results are discussed with a view of assistance in the development of a comprehensive multidimensional psychosocial counselling intervention.</p>