Psychosocial Interventions for Mental Health Outcomes Following Flood Exposure in South Asia: A Systematic Review

Flooding is associated with psychological and psychosocial consequences, yet intervention evidence from South Asia remains limited. This systematic review synthesized studies evaluating psychological or psychosocial interventions for mental-health outcomes among flood-affected populations in South Asia. PubMed and OpenAlex were searched for English-language studies published between January 2010 and August 2026. Eligible studies evaluated an intervention and reported mental-health outcomes in populations affected by floods in South Asia. Study characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and findings were extracted; methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Two randomized studies met the eligibility criteria: a cluster trial of Group Problem Management Plus in Nepal and a yoga intervention among flood survivors in India. Group PM+ reduced psychological distress and depressive symptoms, while yoga was associated with reduced self-rated sadness. Findings were heterogeneous. Evidence is scarce and preliminary, highlighting the need for rigorous, culturally adapted intervention research.