While the saying – ‘School time is the best time in a child’s life,’ would have been true years ago, it no longer reflects the current scenario among school-going adolescents. Today, children in school can be under just as much stress and burden as a fully grown adult. Though factors like academic pressure, social expectations, and family dynamics mattered even earlier, today these factors have developed a new-found intensity, and when topped with the hormonal changes, can adversely affect an adolescent, making their life challenging. Dr Sandra Roshni Monterio, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology, analyses the situation through her paper titled Psychosocial predictors of adolescent stress: insights from a school-going cohort.

Brief abstract

This study investigates the psychosocial factors influencing stress among 1,104 school-going adolescents in Telangana, India. Utilising the Adolescence Stress Scale and various psychosocial measures, hierarchical multiple regression and serial mediation analyses revealed that emotional instability, ill health experiences, conscientiousness, and psychosocial support significantly predict adolescent stress, explaining 6% of the variance. Serial mediation models highlighted family health and emotional efficacy as key mediators. The findings underscore the complex interplay of psychosocial factors in adolescent stress and suggest targeted interventions focusing on emotional regulation and family health to mitigate stress.

Explanation of the Research in Layperson’s Terms

Adolescence is a time of big changes, and while this is true globally, Indian school-going children may experience these changes differently because of our unique cultural and social expectations. This research looks at why teenagers feel stressed and what factors contribute to it. We studied over 1,100 students from schools in Telangana, India, to understand how things like their personality, family life, and social support affect their stress levels. We found that feeling emotionally unstable, having health problems, being overly responsible, and even the kind of support they get from others can increase stress. In fact, too much social support, especially when it’s uninvited or feels controlling, can make adolescents feel even more overwhelmed. This is particularly relevant in India, where family bonds are strong but can sometimes come with pressure, judgment, or expectations. Additionally, the turn to virtual dependency may be temporarily comforting but may not always translate to meaningful connection leading to greater feelings of isolation.

Together, these factors explain a small but important part of why teens feel stressed. We also discovered that a healthy family environment and the ability to manage emotions can help reduce stress. This means that helping teens cope with their emotions and supporting strong family relationships could make them feel less stressed.

Despite growing awareness about teen mental health, most Indian studies have focused only on academic stress or used Western tools that may not capture the emotional landscape of Indian adolescents. Our study fills this gap by using tools grounded in Indian cultural realities and examining the “how” and “why” behind stress, not just “how much” stress exists.

In short, Indian children face a mix of visible and invisible pressures. To truly support them, we need to look beyond grades, listen without judging, and create spaces, both online and offline, where they feel safe, heard, and understood.

Practical Implementation or Social Implications:

The findings from this study have practical implications for schools, families, and mental health professionals. By identifying emotional instability and ill health as key stress contributors, schools can implement programs teaching emotional regulation skills to help adolescents manage stress. The significant role of family health suggests that family-based interventions, like workshops promoting positive parent-child communication, could reduce teen stress. Additionally, the findings challenge the assumption that more social support is always better, suggesting the quality of support matters more than quantity, especially in cultures undergoing social transition. There is a need for tailored support that respects adolescents’ desire for independence. These insights can inform policies in educational and community settings to foster environments that reduce stress and promote mental well-being among teenagers, particularly in high-pressure cultural contexts like India.

Collaborations:

This study was a collaborative effort between SRM University-AP, GITAM University, Hyderabad Campus, and Centre for Health Psychology, University of Hyderabad

Future Research Plans:

Building on these findings, our future research will focus on practical and achievable steps to deepen our understanding of adolescent stress. We plan to develop culturally grounded interventions to improve family health and adolescent emotional efficacy, tailored to the Indian context. To address the modest explained variance, we will explore a limited set of additional factors, such as academic pressure and peer relationships.

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.”, this quote by Mahatma Gandhi serves as a stark reality that war leaves individuals grappling in severe trauma. Dr Aswathy Gopi, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology, explores this impact in her research paper titled “Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for Mental Health Problems Among War Refugees: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Her paper sheds light on the profound effects of war on the mental health of refugees, emphasising the need for tailored approaches to support their psychological well-being.

Abstract:

War and displacement have led to a global mental health crisis, with 117.3 million individuals displaced and one in five refugees experiencing psychological distress. Despite the availability of psychological interventions, their overall effectiveness remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the impact of psychological interventions on war refugees’ mental health. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsycNET, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar (July 2024) identified 21 studies for systematic review and eight randomized controlled trials for meta-analysis. The results indicate a significant medium effect size of psychological interventions (SMD = -0.69, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.51, p < .00001), with in-person interventions showing a large effect (SMD = -1.03) and telehealth interventions demonstrating a small effect (SMD = -0.44) in reducing the mental health issues among war refugees. Findings support the effectiveness of psychological interventions, emphasizing the need for further research on digital mental health solutions to enhance accessibility for war refugees.

Explanation in layperson’s terms

War forces millions of people to leave their homes, and many of them experience severe stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, one in five refugees struggles with serious mental health problems. While various psychological therapies exist to support them, it is unclear how effective they truly are. The current review identified the available in-person as well as telehealth-based psychological interventions that help war refugees in addressing their mental health conditions using evidence from 21 studies. A statistical examination of eight high-quality trials found that psychological support significantly helps refugees in reducing mental health issues. Although face-to-face therapy was reported to be the most effective, online therapy also demonstrated positive results, with a smaller effect. Given the limited number of studies on digital interventions, further research is warranted due to factors like displacement and limited healthcare resources of war refugee.

Practical Implementation and Social Implications

Psychological interventions involving both in-person and telehealth showed effectiveness for mental health problems among war-refugees. Policy makers and intervention developers should provide keen attention while designing interventions for mental health issues of war refugees as their challenges are distinct from other refugees and the general population. Further, the government and healthcare authorities can aim for adopting hybrid models integrating both telehealth and in-person interventions for the effective management of mental health problems of war refugees.

Collaborations

This secondary analysis was conducted in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.

Future research plans

Dr Aswathy Gopi is currently working on positive organisational health, with several research works under review in reputed high-impact journals. The research primarily explores organisational effectiveness and mental health outcomes across various populations. She is also collaborating with IITs and central universities to conduct both primary and secondary research in this domain.

The link to the article
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116432

Figure 1: PRISMA Flow Diagram

Figure 2: Overall effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing various mental health problems of war refugees

The Department of Psychology at SRM University-AP is proud to announce the publication of the patent titled, “A System for VR-Based Psycho-Oncology Therapy with Real-Time Biofeedback and Cultural Adaptation” by Dr Ayesha Parveen Haroon and her Research Scholars-Ms Brilly Anto and Ms Keziah Mariyam Simon. This groundbreaking research introduces a virtual reality therapy system that integrates real-time biofeedback.

Abstract

This research introduces a VR-based psycho-oncology therapy system that integrates real-time biofeedback and cultural adaptation to enhance the psychological well-being of cancer patients. The system utilizes virtual reality to create immersive therapeutic environments while continuously monitoring physiological indicators such as heart rate variability (HRV), skin conductance response (GSR), and respiratory rate to assess stress levels in real time. A processing unit analyzes this data using stress detection algorithms and selects personalized therapeutic interventions, including guided imagery, music therapy, mindfulness practices, and culturally relevant content. The system adapts dynamically to patient responses, ensuring an individualized approach to mental health support. Additionally, a cloud-based module securely stores therapy metrics for long-term monitoring and personalized care adjustments. This innovation offers a patient-centred, technology-driven intervention that enhances mental health outcomes, improves treatment adherence, and provides accessible psychological support for cancer patients in both clinical and home settings.

Explanation in layperson’s terms.

Cancer treatment can be emotionally challenging, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. This research introduces a Virtual Reality (VR)-based therapy system that helps patients relax and manage stress through immersive environments like calming landscapes and guided meditation. The system monitors heart rate, breathing, and stress levels in real time and automatically adjusts therapy by playing soothing music, guided imagery, or relaxation exercises. It also includes culturally relevant content, making therapy more personalized and accessible, even for patients in remote areas. In short, this system acts as a virtual therapist, offering personalized mental health support to cancer patients during treatment and recovery.

Practical Implementation & Social Impact

Practical Implementation

Used in hospitals, cancer centers, and home-based care for stress management.

Helps psycho-oncologists and mental health professionals provide personalized therapy.

Supports palliative care and extends telehealth access to remote areas.

Social Implications

• Reduces stress and anxiety in cancer patients, improving their quality of life.

• Increases accessibility to mental health support, especially in underserved areas.

• Enhances treatment adherence by promoting emotional well-being.

• Offers culturally relevant therapy, making interventions more relatable and effective.

This system bridges the gap in psycho-oncology care, making mental health support more engaging, accessible, and personalized.

Future Research Plans

• Enhancing VR therapy with AI-driven personalization.

• Integrating EEG-based biofeedback for stress monitoring.

• Developing affordable, portable VR solutions for remote care.

• Conducting clinical trials for validation.

• Expanding telehealth access for home-based psycho-oncology care.

Mindfulness has emerged as a pivotal aspect in the domain of mental health, especially in the context of children and adolescents’ well-being. It refers to an inherent ability to be fully present in the moment, enabling an individual to gain an acute sense of awareness without any biases. Such a state of mindfulness empowers individuals to navigate the ups and downs of life with clarity and composure. Dr M Dhamodharan, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, has published a book chapter titled “Mindfulness for Child and Adolescent Well-Being: A Comprehensive Exploration of Strategies and Outcomes,” where he has comprehensively explored the intricacies of mindfulness and its impact on children and adolescents.

Here’s an abstract of the chapter published in the book, “Promoting Mindfulness and Well-Being with Indian Psychology.”

About the book chapter

The chapter examines the significant impact of mindfulness on children and adolescents. Mindfulness is the mental state defined by greater concentration, consciousness, and focus on the here and now, free from judgment. This chapter starts with the theoretical background of mindfulness and the current developments of mindfulness related to children’s and adolescents’ wellbeing. There are three main domains focused on mindfulness. Begin with emotional domains—that explains how mindfulness helps to regulate emotions. Secondly, cognitive domains explain how mindfulness practices help cognitive development and academic performance in educational settings. Thirdly, social and interpersonal domains explain the uses of mindfulness to improve social skills and interpersonal relationships with peer groups, family, and society. The chapter concludes with the role of parental and educational institutions in promoting mindfulness among children and adolescents to create a positive impact on their lives.

Dr Dhamodharan’s book chapter is targeted at Educators, parents, counsellors, and mental health specialists who stand to gain invaluable insights from the exploration of mindfulness within these pages.

Link to the book chapter

Link to the book

The research paper titled “The Adolescence Stress Scale: Development and Standardization” is a significant contribution to the field of psychology. The paper by Dr Sandra Roshni Monteiro, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology in SRM University-AP featured in The Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and provides a detailed account of the development and standardisation of the scale, highlighting its importance and relevance. Dr Monteiro has developed a comprehensive stress scale that aims to evaluate the psychometric issues faced by school-going adolescents.

Here’s a brief extract of the paper.

Abstract

Background/Aim

The objective of the paper was to develop a comprehensive “Adolescence Stress Scale” and to examine different psychometric issues in the development, initial validation, and standardization of this scale.

Method

Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the data procured from a sample of 634 (11–18 years) school-going adolescents in India.

Results

An exploratory analysis provided a 10-factor structure, namely, major loss-induced stress, enforcement or conflict-induced stress, phobic stress, interpersonal conflict-induced stress, punishment-induced stress, illness and injury-induced stress, performance stress, imposition-induced stress, insecurity-induced stress, and unhealthy environment-induced stress. The 10 oblique factor solutions are found to be interrelated and interdependent with good indices of internal consistency, and content validity.

Conclusions

This scale development is a novel and powerful measure that taps onto various aspects of stress experienced by school-going adolescents. The scale can facilitate researchers, clinicians, and teachers to identify and quantify the significant sources of stress in adolescents in school, or clinic settings.