Anxiety, Depression and Resilience among War-Affected and Non-War-Affected Sudanese Female University Students: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: To investigate and compare mental health status between war-affected Darfuri and non-war-affected Omdurmani undergraduate students at Ahfad University for Women in Omdurman city, Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to assess and compare the anxiety, depression (HSCL-25) and resilience scores (Resilience Scale) and related demographic variables for 116 Darfuri and 299 Omdurmani students. Results: Overall anxiety, depression and resilience scores varied minimally between Darfuri and Omdurmani students. Depression scores were negatively related with resilience scores, but not with anxiety scores. Younger participants (15-20 years) and those who had a parent deceased were more anxious, while those whose father was a blue-collar worker (indicating low socio-economic status) were more depressed, but also more resilient. Furthermore, participants whose tuition fees were paid by their parents (indicating a higher socio-economic status) scored lower on resilience. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of considerably high anxiety and depression scores, and moderate resilience levels amongst the sample. The results are discussed with a view of assistance in the development of a comprehensive multidimensional psychosocial counselling intervention.