Evaluating mental health and psychosocial support outcomes of the Self-efficacy and Knowledge (SEEK) community-based randomized controlled trial in Lebanon
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) affected by forced displacement are at high risk of poorer mental health and psychosocial wellbeing due to intersecting stressors. In humanitarian contexts like Lebanon, mental health challenges are exacerbated by protracted crises. The World Health Organization developed the Self-Efficacy and Knowledge (SEEK) package, a low-resource community-based intervention designed to improve wellbeing and sexual reproductive health. This study evaluates the effectiveness of SEEK in improving mental health and psychosocial outcomes among Syrian AGYW refugees in Lebanon.
A single-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted with 267 Syrian AGYW (15–24 years old), randomly assigned to intervention or waitlisted control groups. The intervention comprised eight weekly sessions covering topics including SRH, emotional regulation, and problem-solving, delivered at two primary healthcare centres. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and three months post-intervention, using validated tools to measure wellbeing, self-efficacy, coping, social support, communication skills, anxiety and depression, and emotional regulation.
Participants in the intervention group experienced significant improvements in wellbeing at both immediate follow-up and three months later. Self-efficacy improved significantly at immediate follow-up only. Coping improved significantly at both timepoints. Communication skills improved significantly at three months only. Perceived social support improved significantly at both timepoints. No statistically significant improvements were found for anxiety, depression, or emotional regulation.
SEEK demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing wellbeing, self-efficacy, coping, communication skills, and social support among Syrian AGYW, but did not significantly impact anxiety, depression, or emotional regulation.
This article relates to R2HC funded study; Self-efficacy and knowledge to improve sexual reproductive health and wellbeing in humanitarian settings (SEEK)