Research

LMHA has been working since its inception on research about war and mental health.

Current research projects study the association between temperament and war exposure on mental disorder outcomes. Research also examines late onset mood and anxiety disorders in relation to exposure before the age of 18 to war, non-war events and childhood adversities.

LMHA has also worked on community interventions for populations affected by war and displacement and has investigated the effectiveness of these interventions and the psychological effects of traumatic events.

GENMOD Study

A classroom-based intervention for PTSD, depression and anxiety targeting Lebanese and Syrian students attending public schools in Lebanon. The study also examines individual differences in responses to acute war-related traumatic experiences and psychological intervention.

Addressing the Needs of the Total Assyrian Community in Lebanon

This project addressed the needs of children, adults and elderly members of the Assyrian refugee community in Lebanon through mental health support, psychosocial interventions and capacity building.

Activities included classroom-based interventions and parenting programs designed to improve health and mental health outcomes among people affected by war and displacement.

Biological Pathways of Risk and Resilience in Syrian Refugee Children — BIOPATH

The project investigated biological factors underlying individual differences in refugee children's responses to acute war-related trauma exposure.

It examined psychological change and genetic factors that may influence how Syrian and Lebanese children respond to mental health interventions.

Wellbeing of Syrian Refugee Families

This integrated intervention targeted Syrian refugee families and Lebanese host communities with the aim of improving mental and social wellbeing.

Activities included parenting support, gender-based violence sessions and resilience-building interventions for students and teachers.

Turning Teachers Into Educators of Tolerance and Conflict Resolution

This initiative aimed to strengthen the ability of public school teachers to promote behavioral change, build tolerance and reduce aggression and conflict among Syrian and Lebanese students.

The School Program for Building Resilience and Coping

This program aimed to teach school-age children and adolescents emotional, behavioral and cognitive tools that can help them manage stressful situations and cope with the effects of war.

Community interventions can play an important role in mental health prevention and treatment. LMHA has worked on several initiatives providing psychosocial support to different populations while evaluating their effectiveness.

GENMOD Study

A classroom-based intervention for PTSD, depression and anxiety targeting Lebanese and Syrian students attending schools in Lebanon.

The research also examines resilience-building strategies and individual differences in responses to war-related traumatic experiences.

Addressing the Needs of the Total Assyrian Community in Lebanon

This initiative provided mental health and psychosocial support to children, adults and elderly members of the Assyrian community.

Activities included resilience-building classroom sessions and positive parenting programs targeting emotional, behavioral and psychosocial outcomes.

Biological Pathways of Risk and Resilience in Syrian Refugee Children — BIOPATH

This prospective study investigated biological and genetic factors related to how refugee children respond to acute war-related trauma and psychological interventions.

Wellbeing of Syrian Refugee Families

The project provided psychosocial support to women and youth from Syrian refugee communities and Lebanese host communities.

It included parenting support, resilience-building techniques, gender-based violence sessions and mental health interventions.

Turning Teachers Into Educators of Tolerance and Conflict Resolution

Public school teachers were trained to become mediators of behavioral change and to help build tolerance while reducing aggression, impulsivity and conflict among students.

The School Program for Building Resilience and Coping

Teachers delivered classroom sessions aimed at developing resilience and coping skills among students. Outcomes included personal competence, coping, anxiety, depressive symptoms, behavioral problems and aggression.

Research in this area examines patterns of treatment for mental disorders in Lebanon, including access to treatment, stigma, types of treatment, human resources, medications and utilization of mental health services.

Research has also examined patterns of psychotropic medication use in Lebanon and their relationship with the presence or absence of mental disorders.

Community interventions are also evaluated because of the role they can play in mental health prevention and treatment.

GENMOD Study

A classroom-based intervention targeting PTSD, depression and anxiety among Lebanese and Syrian students.

Addressing the Needs of the Total Assyrian Community

Mental health and psychosocial support was provided to children, adults and elderly members of the community through interventions including classroom programs and parenting support.

BIOPATH

This project studied psychological and biological differences among children and adolescents exposed to trauma and examined factors affecting their response to mental health interventions.

Wellbeing of Syrian Refugee Families

This intervention aimed to improve mental and social wellbeing among Syrian refugee families and Lebanese host communities through parenting support, psychosocial services and resilience-building activities.

Turning Teachers Into Educators of Tolerance and Conflict Resolution

Teachers were trained to support behavioral change, reduce conflict and promote tolerance among students.

The School Program for Building Resilience and Coping

The program focused on emotional, behavioral and cognitive tools designed to help children and adolescents deal with stressful situations.

Research in this area studies the effect of mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, panic disorder, social phobia, schizophrenia, substance abuse, irritability, cyclothymia and ADHD on everyday functioning.

Outcomes of interest include education, professional life, relationships with children and spouses, social networks and work productivity.

The findings can help identify the wider social and economic burden of mental health disorders within Lebanese society.

Affective Temperament

Research has examined temperament as both a potential risk factor and protective factor in mental health, including its stability in clinical populations and its relationship with different psychiatric conditions.

Temperament and Bipolar Disorders

Research examines which temperament profiles may be associated with different bipolar disorder subtypes using established temperament assessment tools.

ADHD, Bipolarity and Temperament Profiles

Research also examines the relationship between adult ADHD and bipolar disorder, the psychiatric comorbidities associated with ADHD and the temperament profiles of adult ADHD patients in clinical populations.

Research in this area systematically reviews published mental health studies from countries across the Arab world.

This work contributes to the development of a regional evidence base that supports researchers, clinicians, policymakers and organizations seeking to better understand mental health challenges throughout Arab societies.

Research projects related to elderly mental health investigate the prevalence of mental disorders among older adults and the factors associated with these conditions.

Research also includes the validation of assessment scales designed to detect dementia, depression and anxiety among elderly populations.

Findings can be used to guide community interventions and advocacy initiatives addressing the mental health needs of older adults.

The TEC-MED Project

TEC-MED focuses on developing a transcultural social and ethical care model for dependent populations across countries surrounding the Mediterranean.

The care model considers areas such as health and social care providers, the care environment, service delivery, governance, financing and technology.

Areas of Assessment

1. Health condition
2. Physical and functional capacity
3. Cognitive ability
4. Basic needs
5. Emotional management and social relations
6. Ability to promote a healthy life
7. Family, partners and caregivers
8. Socio-economic determinants

Interventions may include referral to services, capacity building, educational materials and support groups depending on the results of the assessment.

GENMOD Study

The GENMOD research involved a classroom-based intervention targeting PTSD, depression and anxiety among Lebanese and Syrian students.

Genetic testing was incorporated to investigate differences in responses to war-related traumatic experiences and psychological interventions.

The research contributes to understanding the relationship between mental disorders, environmental influences and genetic factors.

Biological Pathways of Risk and Resilience in Syrian Refugee Children — BIOPATH

BIOPATH investigated biological factors associated with individual differences in children's responses to acute war-related trauma.

The project examined mental health indicators, environmental stressors and genetic factors associated with resilience and responses to interventions.

Childhood adversities such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, parental death, divorce, mental illness, substance misuse, criminality and exposure to violence have been linked with later mental health disorders.

Research examines the first onset of mood and anxiety disorders in adulthood and their relationship with exposure before the age of 18 to war, non-war traumatic events and other childhood adversities.

Studies have also examined the effects of childhood traumatic events on long-term mental health outcomes, as well as the relationship between childhood adversity, positive home experiences and psychological sensitivity.

Bullying and Mental Health

Research examines bullying and its relationship with mental health disorders. Bullying can represent a traumatic experience with important psychological consequences for children and adolescents.

Different forms of bullying can include verbal confrontation, physical confrontation, rumors, social exclusion and bullying through social media.

Research also examines different bullying profiles including victims, perpetrators and individuals who may experience both roles.

Areas of investigation include depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidality, school performance, family life and social interactions.

Research also considers how children, adolescents, schools and families respond to bullying and examines its relationship with other childhood adversities.