Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41327341›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2025

Coping strategies among poverty-affected adolescents experiencing or at risk of depression and anxiety in Nepal: a qualitative study.

Atuleisha Thapa, Bhola Teli, Ramya Pillutla, Rakesh Singh, Susma Baniya, Kreeti Budhathoki, Brandon Kohrt, Mark J D Jordans, Emily Garman, Crick Lund and 3 more

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Article in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Atuleisha ThapaResearch Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Bhola TeliResearch Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Ramya PillutlaCentre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune, Pune, India.
Rakesh SinghResearch Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Susma BaniyaResearch Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kreeti BudhathokiResearch Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Brandon KohrtResearch Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Mark J D JordansResearch Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Emily GarmanDepartment of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Crick LundHealth Service and Population Research Department, Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Kamal GautamResearch Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sara Evans-Lacko *Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
Nagendra P Luitel *Research Department, Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal), Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal. nagendra.luitel@ki.se.

Funding

Wellcome Trust 221940Wellcome Trust 221940/Z/20/Z
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAdolescents employ various coping strategies to manage stress, which can impact their short and long-term mental health. Economically disadvantaged adolescents are more prone to developing maladaptive coping mechanisms due to the persistent stressors associated with poverty. In Nepal, there is a lack of research on how adolescents experiencing or at risk of depression and anxiety cope with adverse situations. This study aims to explore how adolescents affected by poverty and at risk of experiencing mental health problems navigate difficulties within their homes, peer groups, and school environments.

methodsThe study focused on adolescents aged 11 to 19 residing in informal squatter settlements in Kathmandu, Nepal. In-depth narrative interviews were conducted with 30 adolescents experiencing or at risk of depression and/or anxiety. In addition, journal entries documenting their experiences were collected weekly for 3–5 weeks post-interviews. Thematic and plot analysis were employed to identify the coping strategies utilised by adolescents in this context, which were then categorised according to coping theory.

resultsThe results indicated that adolescents employed a combination of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies across different settings (home, school, and peer interactions), with variation in coping strategies used within each setting. Problem solving emerged as the most prevalent coping strategy across all settings. Adolescents tended to exhibit more submission and helplessness at home, more isolation and opposition among peers, and more accommodation and opposition at school. Adolescents aged 14–16 displayed more maladaptive coping strategies compared to younger (11 to 13 years) and older adolescents (17 to 19 years). While girls and boys utilised similar adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies, girls leaned more towards avoidance-escape and helplessness, whereas boys favoured opposition and isolation.

conclusionThe results highlight the range of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies used by adolescents to manage stress in circumstances of urban poverty in Nepal. The study recommends focused psychological interventions which equip adolescents with adaptive coping strategies and stress appraisal techniques that help them manage difficulties effectively.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalAnxietyCoping SkillsDepressionPovertyAdolescentChildFemaleHumansMaleNepalQualitative ResearchStress, PsychologicalYoung AdultAdolescentsCoping strategyDepression and anxietyNepal

Identifiers

PMID41327341
PMCPMC12670861

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