The Experience of War and the Contexts Leading to Depressive Disorders: A Qualitative Study in Bamyan, Afghanistan

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate in Sociology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: War as one of the most significant factors driving social change, profoundly impacts the psychosocial health of vulnerable individuals and groups. The aim of this study is to explore and analyze the social implications of the prevalence of mental health disorders and depression in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, in relation to war.
 
Data and Method: This qualitative study, conducted in 2023, involved 45 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder who were hospitalized in the mental health ward of Bamyan Provincial Hospital. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.
 
Findings: Participants reported distressing personal, familial, and social experiences related to war. They identified war as the primary cause of depressive disorders. War perpetuates a cycle of harm, with depression being one of its consequences. Four themes were identified: socio-economic stagnation, poverty, violence, and an anxious society.
 
Conclusion: While depression is typically examined through psychological and psychiatric frameworks, it can also be socially constructed in specific contexts, such as war. The prevalence of depressive disorders is influenced by social factors, including the impact of war.
 
Key Message: War as a catalyst for change, inflicts devastating consequences on the mental health of society, particularly affecting women, with repercussions that may persist for generations.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Social Continuity and Change (JSCC)

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 April 2025

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