Abstract With nearly one in six children globally living in conflict zones, evidence-based mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is crucial. This systematic mapping review with narrative synthesis followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to synthesize fifty-six studies examining in-country interventions for conflict-affected youth under 25 from 1990 to 2025. The studies were mostly conducted in the global South and utilized various methods, including Teaching Recovery Techniques, trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, and school-based programmes. The findings were mixed. While twenty-five studies reported positive outcomes regarding post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), anxiety and social functioning, the effects often diminished over time, and long-term data (>6 months) remains scarce. The review identified three critical success factors: multilayered stepped-care models, task-sharing with trained lay workers, and family engagement. To be effective, cultural adaptation and age-appropriate tailoring were essential; efforts in this regard ranged from play-based interventions for younger children to structured therapies for adolescents. The evidence base is limited by methodological heterogeneity and short follow-up periods. To bridge the research–practice gap, future efforts must prioritize longitudinal evaluations and stronger collaboration between researchers and humanitarian actors to ensure that interventions effectively mitigate the long-term impacts of conflict.
Springhetti et al. (Mon,) studied this question.