Sarcouncil Journal of Education and Sociology

Abstract: Socioeconomic stressors such as financial insecurity, unemployment, and housing instability are major contributors to psychological distress in community settings, yet access to effective and scalable mental health interventions remains limited in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. This study examined the effectiveness of a group-based psychoeducation program in addressing socioeconomic stressors and associated mental health outcomes within community mental health contexts. A mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design was employed, involving adult participants experiencing significant socioeconomic adversity. The intervention was delivered through structured group sessions focusing on stress awareness, coping strategies, mental health literacy, and social support. Quantitative assessments conducted before and after the intervention demonstrated significant reductions in perceived socioeconomic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, alongside notable improvements in coping capacity, self-efficacy, and mental health literacy. Strong associations between group cohesion, social support, and positive mental health outcomes highlighted the importance of collective learning and peer engagement as key mechanisms of change. The findings suggest that group-based psychoeducation is a cost-effective, culturally adaptable, and empowerment-oriented approach that can be effectively integrated into community mental health services to mitigate the psychological impacts of socioeconomic stressors and promote sustainable mental well-being.