Ethics code: IR.IAU.NEYSHABUR.REC.1403.031
Khodabakhsh M R. Beyond Stress Exposure: The Critical Role of Mental Health Literacy in Women’s Vulnerability to Generalized Anxiety Disorder. J Research Health 2026; 16 (2) :8-8
URL:
http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-2801-en.html
Department of psychology, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran , khodabakhsh@ut.ac.ir
Abstract: (7 Views)
Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental health problems in married women who are exposed to stressful life events. This study aimed to investigate the moderating role of mental health literacy in the relationship between stressful life events and (GAD) in married women.
Method: This descriptive-correlational research employed a cross-sectional design. All married women in Neyshabur in 2024 constituted the statistical population of the present study. In this study, based on calculations made using the Cochran formula, 226 married women were selected using convenience sampling. The generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) questionnaire by Spitzer et al. (2006), the stressful life events questionnaire by Pearlin and Lieberman (1977), and the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) by O'Connor and Casey (2015) were the research instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and stepwise regression) in SPSS-26 software.
Results: The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between stressful life events and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (p < 0.01). Mental health literacy plays a significant moderating role in this relationship, and with increasing mental health literacy, the negative impact of stressful events on anxiety decreases.
Conclusion: The findings show that incorporating mental health literacy training into community-based programs for married women or developing targeted psychoeducational interventions can be effective in reducing the negative impact of stressful events on generalized anxiety disorder in married women.
Type of Study:
Orginal Article |
Subject:
● Psychosocial Health Received: 2025/05/11 | Accepted: 2025/07/14 | Published: 2026/03/21