Volume 16, Issue 4 (Jul & Aug-In Press 2026)
J Research Health 2026, 16(4): 6-6 |
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Kashani M, Sadeghi R, Kamani M. The Role of Health Literacy and Media Literacy in Promoting Psychological Resilience and Reducing Mental Health Adversities Amidst Military Conflicts: A Systematic Review. J Research Health 2026; 16 (4) :6-6
URL: http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2894-en.html
URL: http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2894-en.html
1- Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran & Student Research Committee, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
2- Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran & Student Research Committee, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran ,MehranKamany@yahoo.com
2- Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran & Student Research Committee, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran ,
Abstract: (51 Views)
Background: Mental health is a major public health concern in war-affected populations, where misinformation and limited literacy exacerbate anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Health and media literacy empower individuals to identify credible information and strengthen psychological resilience. Understanding their combined influence has therefore become increasingly important. This systematic review synthesized current evidence on the relationship between health and media literacy and mental health outcomes in conflict settings, highlighting how their interaction contributes to psychological resilience. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between health and media literacy and mental health outcomes in war-affected populations, highlighting how the interaction of these literacies contributes to psychological resilience.
Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this review examined studies exploring the association between health or media literacy and mental health outcomes in war-affected populations. Studies focused solely on COVID-19–related distress were excluded. Peer-reviewed Q1 English-language studies published between 2020 and 2025 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Out of 412 records, 15 eligible qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies were included and narratively synthesized.
Results: The findings indicated that higher health literacy improved access to mental health services and self-management, reducing anxiety (15–20%), depression (10–18%), and PTSD (12–17%). Greater media literacy enhanced psychological resilience by up to 35% through promoting critical thinking and reducing vulnerability to misinformation. However, contextual barriers such as internet shutdowns limited the application of these strategies.
Conclusion: This review indicates that enhancing health and media literacy can reduce anxiety, depression, and PTSD while improving resilience in conflict settings. Integrated literacy-based interventions are recommended to strengthen mental health support in war-affected regions.
Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this review examined studies exploring the association between health or media literacy and mental health outcomes in war-affected populations. Studies focused solely on COVID-19–related distress were excluded. Peer-reviewed Q1 English-language studies published between 2020 and 2025 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Out of 412 records, 15 eligible qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies were included and narratively synthesized.
Results: The findings indicated that higher health literacy improved access to mental health services and self-management, reducing anxiety (15–20%), depression (10–18%), and PTSD (12–17%). Greater media literacy enhanced psychological resilience by up to 35% through promoting critical thinking and reducing vulnerability to misinformation. However, contextual barriers such as internet shutdowns limited the application of these strategies.
Conclusion: This review indicates that enhancing health and media literacy can reduce anxiety, depression, and PTSD while improving resilience in conflict settings. Integrated literacy-based interventions are recommended to strengthen mental health support in war-affected regions.
Keywords: Armed Conflicts, Health Literacy, Media Literacy, Mental Health, Psychological Resilience, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
● International Health
Received: 2025/08/25 | Accepted: 2025/11/22 | Published: 2026/06/9
Received: 2025/08/25 | Accepted: 2025/11/22 | Published: 2026/06/9
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