Mental well-being among adolescents and young adults affected by leprosy and physical disabilities in vocational training centres in India: a cross-sectional study
Background
Adolescents and young adults affected by leprosy and physical disabilities are vulnerable to poor mental well-being, particularly in settings marked by stigma and socioeconomic disadvantage. However, data on mental well-being within vocational rehabilitation settings remain limited.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents and young adults enrolled in six vocational training centres operated by The Leprosy Mission Trust India during the 2023–2024 academic year. Mental well-being was assessed using the 14-item Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). Demographic, socioeconomic, leprosy-related, and disability-related data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, group comparisons, and multivariable logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with low mental well-being (WEMWBS score <41).
Results
A total of 660 participants were included. The mean WEMWBS score was 56.47 (SD 9.9), with 41.2% reporting high, 49.3% average, and 9.5% low mental well-being. Participants with physical disabilities had significantly lower mean mental well-being scores compared with those without disabilities. Leprosy status alone was not associated with poorer mental well-being. In multivariable analysis, presence of disability (adjusted OR 4.3, 95% CI: 2.2–8.3) and female gender (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0–2.9) were independently associated with poor mental well-being, while below-poverty-line status was associated with lower odds (adjusted OR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.8).
Conclusions
Mental well-being was generally favourable among students attending vocational training centres; however, individuals with physical disabilities demonstrated substantially higher risk of poor outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of integrating disability-sensitive mental health screening and psychosocial support within rehabilitation and vocational training programmes.