Prevalence and Perceptions of Traditional and Religious Coping for Mental Health Problems in Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Abstract

Afghanistan is a strong and respected country in terms of culture and tradition and
Afghans value their culture and tradition more than anything else. Mental health is
considered a major problem globally and especially in Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, mental health struggles are silently increasing, often hidden behind
societal stigma, lack of services, and deep-rooted cultural norms. In places like
Nangarhar, where formal psychological care is still developing, people turn to what
they know: religious and traditional coping practices.
A total of 834 community members participated in a survey looking at age, gender,
education, and what kinds of coping approaches they used when facing emotional
or mental challenges. Most respondents are young men (73.4%), between the ages
of 19 and 30, with a university education. The results showed that prayer (45.3%)
and reciting the Quran (38.4%) are the most common religious responses.
Traditional responses included spending time alone (37.9%) and talking with family
members (36.2%). Perceptions of these practices varied: 37.9% found them very
helpful, while 21.3% said they aren't helpful at all.
These findings tell us that people in Nangarhar rely heavily on familiar, faith-based,
and cultural solutions when it comes to mental health. However, there is a mixed
understanding of how effective these methods really are. This insight can guide
local leaders and health organizations to bridge traditional beliefs with modern
approaches, offering mental health support that feels both respectful and effective.
Keywords: Mental health, healing, tradition, religion, Nangarhar, coping,
Quran, prayer