Living in the Grey Zone: Perceived Uncertainty, Coping Strategies, and Psychological Distress among Young Adults in Pakistan during the Indo-Pak Conflict 2025
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To study how perceived uncertainty and the coping strategies adopted by young adults of Pakistan during the May 2025 Indo-Pak conflict affected their mental health.
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional research.
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
An online study was conducted in May 2025.
METHOD
Nine hundred young adults (201 men, 699 women), aged 18-30, studying at different universities of Pakistan were sampled using non-probability sampling. The data was collected through Demographic Information Questionnaire, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Brief COPE, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.
RESULTS
The young adults of Pakistan experienced symptoms of depression (45%), anxiety (55.6%) and stress (46.3%). Exposure to war-related media was associated with increased uncertainty (r= .16) and psychological distress (r= .10). The presence of uncertainty and use of all three types of coping strategies i.e., problem-focused, emotion-focused and avoidant coping were related with higher levels of psychological distress (r= .59, .29, .36, and .61 respectively). Avoidant coping predicted greater levels of depression (β= .48), anxiety (β= .39), stress (β= .35) and psychological distress (β= .44), while problem-focused coping predicted lower levels of depression (β= -.10). The partial mediating role of avoidant coping was also established suggesting that uncertainty increases the use of avoidant coping which in turn exacerbate psychological distress.
CONCLUSION
The Indo-Pak conflict had a negative impact on the mental health of young adults of Pakistan, highlighting the need for targeted psychological interventions to improve their well-being and proactive measures to safeguard their mental health in the event of future conflict.
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