Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40380322›Full record

ArticleConflict and health2025

Conflict exposure and mental health: a survey of adolescent girls and young women in Myanmar post the 2021 coup d'état.

Isabelle Pearson, Elaine Chase, Cing Van Kim, Nang Ma San, Hkawn Ja, Zin Mar Hlaing, Nandar Oo, Khin Lae, Ei Ei Soe, Brooke Zobrist and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Conflict and health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Geopsychiatry and the complex mental health challenges of conflict: a review examining local and distal psychiatric outcomes in a fractured world.Neuropsychiatrie : Klinik, Diagnostik, Therapie und Rehabilitation : Organ der Gesellschaft Osterreichischer Nervenarzte und Psychiater · 2026
    Review
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  6. Frontiers in public health · 2026
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Isabelle PearsonDepartment of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Pl, London, WC1H 9SH, UK. Isabelle.Pearson@lshtm.ac.uk.
Elaine ChaseInstitute of Education, University College London, London, UK.
Cing Van KimGirl Determined, Yangon, Myanmar.
Nang Ma SanGirl Determined, Yangon, Myanmar.
Hkawn JaGirl Determined, Yangon, Myanmar.
Zin Mar HlaingGirl Determined, Yangon, Myanmar.
Nandar OoGirl Determined, Yangon, Myanmar.
Khin LaeGirl Determined, Yangon, Myanmar.
Ei Ei SoeGirl Determined, Yangon, Myanmar.
Brooke ZobristGirl Determined, Yangon, Myanmar.
Cathy Zimmerman *Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Pl, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
Meghna Ranganathan *Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Pl, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.

Funding

Bloomsbury PhD Studentship NALSHTM Doctoral Project Travelling Scholarship NAMillby Foundation DONAT15010
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFollowing the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, adolescent girls and young women have faced a multitude of threats to their health and wellbeing. Beyond direct exposure to armed combat, injuries and loss of life, they are also experiencing displacement, family separation, and restricted access to education and healthcare. These challenges are further compounded by military-imposed restrictions on humanitarian aid and access to the country. This study sought to address a critical gap in understanding how exposure to conflict in Myanmar is impacting adolescent girls' mental health.

methodsWe conducted a survey, co-developed with peer-researchers, with 750 girls and young women aged 10 to 21 years from disproportionately disadvantaged communities across Myanmar. The survey included questions on participants' demographics, their exposure to conflict-related stressors and their self-reported depressive symptoms.

resultsParticipants reported widespread exposure to traumatic conflict-related stressors and high levels of depressive symptoms. There was a significant positive association between the number of different conflict-related stressors experienced by the study participants and the number of depressive symptoms reported. Additionally, participants who were living away from their parents reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, emphasising the psychological implications of family separation during conflict.

conclusionsOur results highlight the urgent need for tailored interventions for adolescents, particularly girls and young women, who are exposed to armed conflict. In contexts of protracted instability and uncertainty, such as in Myanmar, interventions should explore ways to foster a sense of social safety, especially among adolescent girls who are displaced or living away from their families. Strengthening social safety systems may help to reduce the adverse mental health impacts of conflict-related stressors.

Indexed as

AdolescentsChildrenConflictGenderMental HealthWellbeing

Identifiers

PMID40380322
PMCPMC12082879

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.