Exploring the protective role of social support on PTSD, depression, and anxiety among internally displaced persons residing in Shelters Amidst War in Sudan: A cross-sectional study

Armed conflict and forced displacement in Sudan have created major disruptions to social and health systems. Social support may be differentially associated with mental health among internally displaced persons (IDPs), yet context-specific evidence remains limited. This study examined the association between perceived social support and symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety among IDPs in collective shelters in Port Sudan. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 207 adult IDPs recruited through convenience sampling across multiple collective shelters. Structured face-to-face interviews were conducted in Arabic. Perceived social support was assessed using the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3). Post-traumatic stress symptoms were measured using the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5), depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and anxiety symptoms using the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7). Associations were examined using unadjusted 2-tailed bivariate correlation analyses, with statistical significance defined as P < .05. Participants were predominantly female (90.4%) with marked socioeconomic vulnerability (84.1% unemployed). Mean (±SD) scores were OSSS-3: 7.69 ± 2.51, PC-PTSD-5: 1.98 ± 1.40, PHQ-9: 9.86 ± 6.08, and GAD-7: 8.46 ± 5.53. Higher perceived social support was moderately associated with fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms ( r = −0.328, P < .01). Participants screening positive for probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (PC-PTSD-5 ≥ 3) were more likely to report poor social support. Associations between social support and depression and anxiety were weak and non-significant. Higher perceived social support was associated with fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms, while links with depression, anxiety, and service use were non-significant. Findings highlight heterogeneity in displacement-related distress and support community-based, resilience-oriented mental health approaches alongside efforts to reduce systemic barriers to care.