Date of Award

1-14-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MSc in Nursing

First Advisor

Dr Saleema Gulzar

Second Advisor

Lubna Ghazal

Third Advisor

Zahra Tharani

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Globally, adolescent mental health issues are on the rise, creating a need for accessible, culturally sensitive support in schools. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan, resource constraints limit the early identification and treatment of these issues. In such situations, implementing a School-Based Mental Health Program (SBMHP) could potentially support, help and promote the well-being of adolescents and children in such settings. A SBMHP is being evaluated for its impact on students' emotional stability and well-being. Purpose: The qualitative study explores the perspectives of various stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, school administration, data collectors and session evaluators) who participated in a recent clinical trial related to School-based mental health programs.
Method: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative design was used to explore the stakeholders' perceptions of SBMHP. The study focused on exploring the program's acceptability, feasibility, barriers to facilitators and stakeholder recommendations. The study setting was the four boys' schools and four girls' schools in rural Multan, Punjab, Pakistan. Purposive sampling was used to conduct in-depth interviews with three stakeholder groups: Group 1— Teachers (n=4), Students (n=12), and Parents (n=12); Group 2—Leaders/Authorities: CEO (n=2), Principal (n=4), QAED (n=2); and Group 3—Trial Management Group, including data collectors (n=3) and session evaluators (n=2), for a total of 41 participants Content Analysis was used to analyze the data.
Findings: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders in Pakistan revealed the theme of a "Holistic Mental Health Intervention for Adolescents." includes sub-themes: (1) Emotional Well-being v Intervention, impacting adolescents' emotional regulation; (2) Acceptability, aligning with gender-sensitive and cultural norms; (3) Operational Feasibility, addressing resource availability and challenges; and (4) Stakeholders’ Advice for the Future, providing insights for intervention sustainability and growth. Conclusion: SBMHP positively impacted adolescents' well-being through psychological, emotional, and cognitive improvements. Participants suggested incorporating it into the curriculum. Cultural relevance and school focus were key to its success. Professional support, parental involvement, and utilizing existing resources due to cost effectiveness are crucial for its continued success in schools. This highlights the program's effectiveness and offers a foundation for future enhancements

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1

Last Page

182

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