Psychological responses to armed conflict among university students: the Kabul University attack

Background: The Kabul University attack of November 2020 left 22 dead and dozens injured, occurring within a broader context of prolonged armed conflict and limited psychological support in Afghanistan.Objective: This study explored how students experienced and responded to trauma following the attack, while providing a safe space for participants to express their feelings amid mental health stigma and limited psychological support.Method: A qualitative design integrated with counselling skills was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants three months post-attack. Data were analyzed using six-phase thematic analysis.Results: Four themes emerged: trauma reactions spanning emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioural dimensions; secondary psychological impacts including re-traumatization through social media and contextual adaptation to chronic violence; institutional resentment and moral injury directed toward authorities perceived as failing to protect students; and collective cultural and religious practices as central sources of coping and support.Conclusions: Findings extend trauma literature by highlighting context-specific dynamics in conflict-affected settings, including how systemic neglect and prolonged exposure to violence shape survivors’ meaning-making and institutional trust. Collective cultural and religious practices emerged as vital coping resources. This study also demonstrates that research integrated with counselling skills can serve as social witnessing, offering meaningful support in resource-constrained settings.