Mental Health in Context: A Systematised Narrative Review of Sociocultural Influences on Adolescent Mental Health in India

In developing and lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India, adolescent mental health is influenced by a complex interplay of distinct sociocultural influences, such as caste, class, religion, gender norms, family dynamics, and material inequalities. Although global research increasingly recognises these determinants, evidence from the Indian context has remained fragmented and usually centred on individual or family-based factors. This systematised narrative review aims to synthesise Indian studies to examine the influence of sociocultural factors on adolescent mental health. Peer reviewed English language articles that were published between 2014 and 2025 were identified using PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. A predefined strategy guided the search and was organised around three thematic areas: (a) relational determinants in home and school, (b) sociocultural identity-based determinants, and (c) structural and material determinants. There were 47 studies that were included. Most research focused on family dynamics, parenting, academic stress, and school environments. In comparison, far fewer studies examined structural and sociocultural identity-based factors such as caste, gender identity, religion, sexuality, food insecurity, housing instability, and resource deprivation. Higher distress among adolescents from marginalised communities was frequently reported; however limited research explored how these experiences of social inequality were internalised during adolescence and shaped their mental health over time. Methodologically, the literature was dominated by quantitative, community-based studies, with limited qualitative and clinical research. This review synthesised the existing literature available on sociocultural determinants of adolescent mental health in India. It highlights the gaps present in the existing literature and urges professionals to expand the scope of their clinical work and integrate context-specific social, cultural, and structural factors that shape adolescent mental health. It also encourages institutions to undertake an upstream approach to reduce mental health inequalities and move towards structurally competent, developmentally sensitive, and culturally rooted mental health care.