The Impact of Financial Crises on Mental Health in the Kurdistan Region: A Cross-Sectional Study | [Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Cheeman Salih Kakabra: Community Health Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

2. Arazo Adil Jassim: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Garmian University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

3. Mahdi Omer Salih: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

4. Avin Ali Mahmood Saeed: Department of Obstetrics and Maternity Nursing, Technical Institute of Sulaimani, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

5. Shahla Hamid Hassan: Ministry of Health, Directorate of Health, Soz Mental Hospital, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

6. Bayan Omar Sharif: College of Nursing, University of Human Development, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

7. Saza Ahmed Fakhry Abdulla: College of Languages, Department of English, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

8. Peshin Abdalstar Salih: Department of Clinical Psychology, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Qatar

9. Talar Jamal Rahim: Ministry of Health, Directorate of Health, Sulaimani Burn & Plastic Surgery Hospital, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

10. Muhammed Abdulwahab Hassan: Ministry of Health, Directorate of Health, Department of Community Medicine, Hiwa Hospital, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

11. Abdulmalik Fareeq Saber:

12. Abdulmalik Fareeq Saber: Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq

Abstract:

Background and Aim: Economic crises have profound impacts on public health, particularly mental health, due to their association with unemployment, poverty and inequality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of the financial crisis on mental health, specifically depression, anxiety and stress, among the population in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Method: This online cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1st to October 15th, 2024, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, including Sulaimani, Erbil and Duhok, using convenience sampling. The questionnaire contained two sections: demographic data and the DASS-21 questionnaire to assess depression, anxiety and stress. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY). Chi-square tests, Spearman correlation and ordinal regression were employed to examine the relationship between the financial crisis and mental health conditions. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 1,024 responses were analyzed. The mean score for anxiety was 19.28±9.18, indicating severe anxiety levels. Similarly, the mean score for depression was 27.77±11.63, reflecting severe depression levels. Stress also exhibited severe levels, with a mean score of 26.80±11.58. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between the financial crisis and all three mental health conditions (p = 0.001 for anxiety, stress and depression), with individuals experiencing financial insufficiency reporting higher levels of psychological distress. Conclusions: The results showed a significant relationship between the financial crisis and mental health conditions, including anxiety, stress and depression. Therefore, policymakers and healthcare providers should implement targeted interventions and develop support systems to mitigate the adverse mental health effects of economic crises.

Page(s): 105-114

DOI: 10.47310/jpms2025140312

Published: Journal: Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, Volume: 14, Issue: 3, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Mental health , Psychological wellbeing , financial crisis , Socioeconomic impact , Kurdistan Region

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