The Psychology International Conference [PSYCIC ] 2025

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/4384

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Open Access
How Do Psychologists in Sri Lanka Navigate Work-Life Balance? A Qualitative Exploration of Their Experiences
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Herath, K; Fernando, T
In the presence of an imbalance between work and life, individuals are highly likely to have mental distress, which can result in adverse professional, personal, and health-related consequences. Despite the fact that every profession comes with its own demanding responsibilities. Providing therapy on a regular basis, bearing the emotional weight of their clients, and dealing with vicarious trauma while bearing personalresponsibilities without any institutional support can make it difficult for psychologists to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Without sufficient tools for self-soothing, such close proximity to psychological trauma and human suffering can result in severe emotional anguish, burnout, and, worst of all, attrition from the field. In order to avoid such consequences, this research examines how psychologists balance theirlives between work and life, the key challenges they face and the strategies they utilize to achieve balance. Using purposive sampling, psychologists with over two years of experience working with clients in Sri Lanka were recruited as the sample. Data saturation determined the sample size, which concluded with seven participants. A qualitative design was adopted, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to determine the main themes within the interview responses. Three major themes emerged from the study: psychologists manage many responsibilities, deal with issues including emotional exhaustion, time management, and boundary setting, and cope by using coping mechanisms like self-care, peer and family support, and psychological techniques. The study concluded that psychologists find it difficult to maintain a balance between their personal and professional lives.Nevertheless, due to the techniques individuals have utilized and supported by their loved ones, they are dealing with it healthily.
Open Access
Status of Residential Treatment Centres Offering Addiction Counselling for Persons Living with Alcohol Use Disorders in Sri Lanka
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Rajasuriya, M; Tharinda, C; Wickramarathna, A. D. C. L.
Residential treatment centres are well known to provide services for persons living with alcohol use disorders (AUD). The interventions of their treatment packages are not always evidence-based. There have been no efforts to test the effectiveness of such addiction counselling packages offered in Sri Lanka. Paving the way to such efforts, this study aimed to describe the treatment packages offered by addiction counselling-based residential AUD treatment centres in Sri Lanka. The list of existing treatment centres was compiled using information from the National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB), web search, and word of mouth. An authorised person from each centre was interviewed using a structured interview. Addiction counselling centres in Sri Lanka are required to be registered with the NDDCB, and 17 such centres had been registered in 2023. They provide treatment for various addictions including alcohol,tobacco, drugs, and gambling. Only 9 (52.69%) centres provide services for AUD. Seven (78%) of these centres are owned by private parties and 5 (56%) of them are located in the Western Province. Four (44%) such centres accept involuntary clients through court referrals. Many centres utilise non-evidence-based intervention such as forced abstinence. Three (33%) centres did not report collecting data to evaluate the effectiveness of their programme. The non-governmental sector contributes heavily to the provision of residential addiction counselling in Sri Lanka. These centres are concentrated in the Western Province. The science behind these interventions, and their success, safety, and legality need a closer look.
Open Access
Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Coping in End-Stage Renal Failure: A Wilgamuwa, Sri Lanka IPA Study
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Nanayakkara, S. A; Kumarage, A. T; Jayaweera, S; Mendis, D; Kodithuwakku, V; Jayasooriya, D; Sansani, T; Ponnamperuma, L
End-stage renal failure (ESRF) profoundly disrupts patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This paper presents a concentrated analysis of these responses, drawn from an initial study conducted in 2024 that consisted of three-themes recruiting the ESFR patients living in Wilgamuwa Divisional Secretariat, Mathale. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of semi-structured interviews with five purposively sampled ESRF patients, identified several key themes. Analysis demonstrated how severefatigue and treatment side effects impede daily life and undermine work identity. It also revealed how guilt and fear of burdening family exacerbate emotional distress. And thirdly the study found that reframing illness in spiritual lens can foster acceptance and resilience among the participants. These findings highlight the urgent need for culturally sensitive palliative interventions in rural Sri Lanka, combining symptom management, family-centred psychosocial support, and spiritual counselling, to address the multifaceted challenges of ESRF.
Open Access
Exploring the Role of Parental Communication Patterns in Academic Stress: A Qualitative Study of Sri Lankan University Students
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Kodagoda, P; Abeysinghe, N
Academic stress is a prevalent issue among university students, with parental communication playing a crucial role in shaping their stress experiences. While extensive research has examined academic stressors, there remains a gap in understanding how specific parental communication patterns influence students' ability to manage stress, particularly within the Sri Lankan context. This study explored how Sri Lankan university students perceived and experienced parental communication in relation to academic stress, focusing on the role of verbal encouragement, emotional understanding, and parental expectations in shaping students' stress experiences and coping mechanisms. A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted, with six undergraduates (aged 19–25) purposively sampled. Data were collected throughsemi-structured interviews and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. Findings revealed that supportive parental communication, characterized by emotional validation and encouragement, mitigated academic stress, whereas critical or dismissive communication exacerbated stress levels. Parental expectations emerged as a significant factor influencing students’ stress. The study highlights the crucial role of parental communication in academic stress among Sri Lankan undergraduates and underscores the need for parental awareness and interventions to foster healthier communication patterns. These findings provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals in developing support mechanisms to enhance students’ academic well-being.
Open Access
The Professional Life of Counsellors During the Economic Crisis of Sri Lanka
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Ekanayake, T; Fernando, N
Economic recession periods can significantly heighten risks to the population's mental health and wellbeing while posing additional challenges to health systems. Despite being central to mental health care delivery, the experiences of professionals working through such crises remain underexplored. This qualitative study seeks to illuminate those experiences by addressing two core research questions: (1) What challenges have mental health counsellors in Sri Lanka faced during the economic crisis, and (2) What motivational factors have sustained their commitment under such adverse conditions? Semistructured interviews were conducted with six counsellors from Colombo, who participated voluntarily. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study uncovered four superordinate themes: ‘economic adversity and emotional dynamics’, ‘coping resources and protective factors’, ‘sense of fulfilment and personal growth’, and ‘professional support and availability of services’. The findings reveal that counsellors were deeply committed to providing psychological care despite economic uncertainty, social stigma, and limitations in service infrastructure. Participants emphasized the importance of both internal and external coping mechanisms, including personal resilience, peer support, and ongoing motivation rooted in a strong sense of purpose. Notably, many counsellors reflected on their growth and sense of fulfilment derived from working with vulnerable populations, highlighting the transformative nature of their roles during crises. While the study is limited by a small sample and the interpretative nature of qualitative research, it offers valuable insights for stakeholders in the mental health sector. Recommendations include strengthening practitioner support systems, enhancing professional infrastructure, and ensuring counsellors’ voices guide future policy and planning.
Open Access
Reclaiming Inquiry: Rethinking Research in the Age of AI
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) BhaRacharya, U
To speak of “research excellence” today is to navigate an unsettled epistemological terrain where artificial intelligence is reshaping how we recognise, value, and produce knowledge. What constitutes rigor, originality, or discovery when algorithmic processes increasingly thread through research practice? The terms we inherit—authorship, creativity, novelty, discovery—are being recast, their meanings destabilized and renegotiated in ways we are only beginning to articulate. In these remarks, I discuss AI not as a tool or a threat but as a force that exposes the assumptions, hierarchies, and aspirations embedded in research culture itself. Language, as the medium through which we constitute knowledge, becomes the critical site for this reckoning. I argue that universities must meet this transformation with both rigor and imagination—alert to the genuine risks of superficiality, proprietary enclosure, and eroded judgment, while actively reclaiming inquiry as moral practice and intellectual adventure: transforming what becomes possible without relinquishing what remains irreducibly human.
Open Access
Impact of Social Media Usage on Self-esteem and Body Image among Female Young Adults in Sri Lanka
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Kaludewalage, M; Selvaratnam, N. D
Social media has become an integral part of modern communication, with millions of users worldwide. While it facilitates connectivity and information sharing, its psychological effects, particularly on selfesteem and body image, have raised significant concerns. This study investigates the impact of social mediause on self-esteem and body image among female young adults in Sri Lanka. Using convenience sampling, the study included 251 females with ages ranging from 18 to 26. A Google form that included a demographic questionnaire, the Social Media Use Scale, the Body Image Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was shared through social media platforms to collect data. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) confirmed a statistically significant multivariate effect of social media use on both body image and self-esteem, with social media use explaining 8.5% of the variance in the combined dependent variables. Follow-up analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a significant effect of social media use on body image and self-esteem separately, with small to moderate effect sizes. Further analysis using Welch’s t-test showed that individuals with Low social media use had significant and higher self-esteem (d= 0.459) and more positive body image (d = 0.580) compared to those with High social media use. Findings highlight that social media use has a significant effect on both self-esteem and body image, with higher social media use associated with lower self-esteem and poor body image. Future research should examine usage patterns and cultural influences.
Open Access
The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Mental Well-Being
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Weerasinghe, B.A.I.R; Rajakarunanayake, S
Although the role played by mindfulness in developing mental well-being has received much attention, the mediatory role of self-esteem the realm of positive psychology is discussed rarely, especially in the context of non-state universities of a developing country that has face multiple unprecedented challenges in the recent past. A sample of 329 was collected using a self-administered survey questionnaire from non-state universities in Sri Lanka. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 26 and the mediation effect was computed by using PROCESS Macro. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between mindfulness and mental well-being. A partial mediation of self-esteem was found between mindfulness and wellbeing. The findings suggest academics, administrators, and policy makers to integrate more mindfulness-based interventions in associating with undergraduates to ease their academic burden and life battles whilst paying attention to build self-esteem among non-state university students.
Open Access
Cultural Adaptation and Statistical Validation of the General Self-Efficacy Scale Tamil (GSES-T)
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Vasudevan, T; Selvaratnam, N. D
The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), extensively validated across cultures, has not previously been available in Tamil, restricting its application in research and practice. This study, guided by Classical Test Theory (CTT), aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the GSES for Tamil-speaking populations. Adaptation followed rigorous procedures: forward–back translation, expert evaluation via the Delphi method (n = 4), and a pilot test (n = 10) to ensure cultural and linguistic relevance. Data from 204 Tamilspeaking Sri Lankans, recruited through cluster-based random sampling across multiple provinces, were analysed. Findings demonstrated strong content and consensual validity, excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .892), and a unidimensional structure explaining 50.98% of variance. The validated GSEST offers a robust tool for assessing self-efficacy, advancing culturally responsive research and supporting evidence-based interventions in Tamil-speaking communities
Open Access
Contribution of the Keynote Speaker Multiconference
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) McNamara, P
This is an exciting time to be in Sri Lanka. Many opportunities are present. The complex problems will be best solved with cross-cutting answers involving perspectives from the humanities, social science, and natural science. No longer are the traditional narrow disciplines of academe sufficient. What is needed is a culture of creativity and innovation. I am excited to engage with the participants and organizers of this 2025 SICASH conference, who are at the cutting edge of this interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Open Access
Translation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form among Sri Lankans
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Weerasinghe, S. A; Goh, Y; Izadikah, Z; Wang, G; Ireland, M. J
The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF) is a widely used measure to assess six areas of difficulties in emotion regulation. However, the psychometric properties of the scale have not been evaluated in the Sri Lankan population. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties, specifically the reliability and factor structure of the scale, to establish relevance to Sinhalesespeaking Sri Lankans. Following the translation, data was gathered online from a convenience sample of 101 participants. The DERS-SF showed excellent reliability (Cronbach’s α = .93; Omega Total ωT = .93). A confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a five-factor structure excluding the awareness subscale had be_er fit indices, reflecting cultural differences in how emotion regulation difficulties are conceptualised. This structure appeared more suitable for use in future research and screening for emotion regulation difficulties in the Sri Lankan population. Additionally, high scores of the DERS-SF,particularly among the younger participants compared to the older participants, underscored the need for programs to teach strategies of emotion regulation.
Open Access
Assessment of Judgmental Validity of the Sinhala Physical Abuse Subscale (SPAS) of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF)
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Nayanathara, V; Selvaratnam, N. D
Childhood physical abuse (CPA) remains a critical public health issue in Sri Lanka, yet there is a notable absence of culturally validated assessment tools in the Sinhala language. This study aimed to translate and assess the content validity of the 5-item Physical Abuse subscale from the Child Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF) using the Delphi method. A single round of Delphi was conducted with five subject matter experts (SMEs) selected based on extensive experience in trauma, psychology, and scale validation.
Open Access
Red Flags at Work: A Qualitative Study on Gen Z’s Workplace Turn-Offs
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Gunathilake, S; Ganeshan, A
As Generation Z enters the workforce, their expectations regarding authenticity, equality and psychological safety are shaping new benchmarks for organisational culture. While global literature has begun to explore these shifts, there are limited empirical evidence on what constitutes workplace "red flags" for Gen Z in South Asia, particularly Sri Lanka. This study investigated the organisational behaviours and environments perceived as red flags by Sri Lankan Gen Z employees. An inductive qualitative approach was adopted, analysing approximately 69 anonymised responses from three Reddit threads posted in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Thematic analysis revealed six core themes: performative culture and corporate hypocrisy; lack of psychological safety and respect; exploitation and burnout norms; unfair HR practices and compensation systems; favouritism, discrimination, and lack of inclusion and organisational dishonesty. Differences were observed across sectors, with IT professionals emphasising overwork, rigid processes, and stagnant roles, while non-IT participants raised concerns about ethical breaches, gender-based microaggressions and superficial wellness initiatives. These themes were consistently evident across all three posts suggesting deeply held generational expectations. The study concludes that for Gen Z in Sri Lanka, alignment between stated organisational values and actual practices is essential.
Open Access
The Psychological Impact of Perceived Gender-Based Discrimination against Female Police Officers of Sri Lanka
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Areluwagoda, A.G.G.U.K.; Ponnamperuma, L
Gender-based discrimination (GBD) challenges female police officers globally, yet its psychological impact, especially in Sri Lanka, has not been thoroughly researched. This study explored perceived GBD's lived experiences and psychological consequences for Sri Lankan female officers, informed by socialist feminism and Schein's organizational culture model. The primary objective was to understand GBD's psychological impact on female officers' self-identity and job satisfaction. A purposeful sample of six female police officers with 5+ years of service, perceiving GBD, was recruited from regional stations. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore subjective meaning-making. Analysis revealed prevalent experiences of perceived incompetence, devaluation, and blocked career progression, attributed to deeply embedded patriarchal attitudes. These led to significant emotional distress, including numbness, pain, embarrassment, disappointment, hopelessness, and exhaustion, as well as lower self-esteem and work identity conflict. Findings highlight how embedded patriarchy and societal gender norms have a significant negative impact on female officers'psychological well-being. Discrimination causes substantial emotional distress and challenges to identity and job satisfaction, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions against systemic gender bias in law enforcement.
Open Access
Academic Ritualistic Behaviours and Exam Stress: Insights from Generation Z Undergraduates in Sri Lanka
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Dissanayake, I. N. D; Abeysinghe, N
This study explores the role of Academic Ritualistic Behaviours (ARB) in managing exam stress among Generation Z university students in Sri Lanka. Exams are often highly stress-inducing events, and this research aims to examine how ritualistic behaviours rooted in personal, cultural, generational, and psychological frameworks help students in managing exam-related stress. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six undergraduates between ages 18 to 26, till data saturation. The interview transcripts were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework, and the analysis gave rise to three themes: (1) Personal and cultural anchors: Rituals rooted in family, tradition, and peer influence; (2) Rituals as emotional needs: Objects, music, and symbolic actions providing comfort and focus; and (3) Technology-infused rituals: Apps, digital platforms, and manifestation practices shaping modern coping. While rituals promoted reassurance and structure, overreliance sometimes heightenedanxiety when disrupted, highlighting the double-edged nature of such practices. The Findings suggest that academic ritualistic behaviours influenced by cultural heritage and digital practices contribute to resilience, focus, and emotional stability during exams, but also reveal potential risks of overreliance. They emphasise the need for educators and researchers to acknowledge both benefits and risk associated with these behaviours when addressing student wellbeing.
Open Access
Unpacking how the Living Arrangements of Undergraduates Influence Quality of Life
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Bandara, K; Abeysekara, M; Vihangi, S; Perera, S; Jayasekara, S; Samaratunge, T; Goonetilleke, N
This study examined the connection between undergraduate students' living arrangements (private vs rented accommodation) and their Quality of Life (QoL) at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT). All four domains of quality of life, psychological well-being, physical health, environmental factors, and social relationships were measured using an adapted version of the World Health Organisation Quality of Life: Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). The cross-sectional studyincluded a sample of 64 individuals obtained from the campus premises between the ages of 18-25. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed no statistically significant differences in QoL dimensions based on accommodation type. However, the effect sizes indicate living arrangements to be a better predictor of the environmental factors as opposed to other domains of QoL. Furthermore, a chi-square test yielded a strong association between the year of study and living arrangements among students, suggesting that the year of study may have an impact on students’ choice of accommodation. These results further demonstrate the diversity of QoL and imply that, although environmental influences are worthy of consideration, living arrangements might not be a strong factor to explain students’ well-being. While the nature of the sample (i.e., small and convenient) may have hindered the statistical significance of the study, the present findings highlight the necessity for subsequent studies to accurately uncover the impact of student life, accommodation, and other related factors onthe quality of life.
Open Access
Exploring the Uncanny Valley Effect of Motion Capture films through Anthropomorphism and Negative Emotions
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Dionysius, K; Selvaratnam, N.D
This study was conducted with the aim of exploring whether watching a Motion capture (Mo-cap) movie can result in the Uncanny Valley (UV) effect amongst the young-adult population via the factors of Anthropomorphism and Negative Emotions (NE). Three objectives were brought forward; assess perceived anthropomorphism in Mo-cap films, examine NE induced by Mo-cap characters, and determine if both factors together elicit the UVE. The participants were divided into 3 groups, with each group having 15participants. Each group viewed a different movie – animated, Mo-cap, and real. Afterwards, participants were instructed to fill the Godspeed questionnaire Series (GQS) and the Discreet Emotions Questionnaire (DEQ) to measure Anthropomorphism and NE respectively. The Mo-cap movie was not significantly different in anthropomorphism levels but did showcase higher levels of NE within the participants. The UVE was not observed due to high levels of anthropomorphism and NE was not of significant occurrence.
Open Access
Exploring the Psychological Impact of Socially Prescribed Perfectionism among Sri Lankan Adolescents: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Ekanayake, R; Ponnamperuma, L
Socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) is defined as the belief that others demand perfection from them. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to SPP due to their heightened sensitivity to external evaluations. Existing literature has consistently identified SPP as the most harmful form of perfectionism. However, there is a notable lack of research focusing specifically on SPP, both globally and in Sri Lanka. This studyaimed to explore the lived experiences of Sri Lankan adolescents with SPP by focusing on how they make sense of external expectations and the resulting psychological impact. The sample included seven adolescents aged 17 to 19 who self-identified as perfectionists experiencing unrealistic expectations from others. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling via a social media post. Data was collected through semi-structured online interviews, each lasting between 30 and 50 minutes. The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The superordinate theme, ‘the price of never feeling enough’, and its three subthemes illustrated the psychological impact of SPP, highlighting participants’ experiences of self-doubt, strained relationships, and identity loss. This study supports global literature by identifying SPP as predominantly maladaptive, with only limited adaptive aspects. Sri Lankan adolescents appear to experience intense psychological pressure, largely driven by unrealistic expectations from significant adult figures.
Open Access
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on Sri Lankan Female Audiences Regarding Psychological Impact of Korean Dramas
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Handapangoda, C.A; Ponnamperuma, L
Korean Dramas (K-Dramas) have emerged as a prominent form of entertainment, with various storylines featured in nearly all productions. However, exposure to these narratives can cultivate unrealistic expectations, potentially inducing emotional distress when viewers’ anticipations are unmet. This study aimed to explore the psychological experiences of Sri Lankan female viewers, focusing on the emotionalresponses elicited by general K-Drama consumption. A purposive sample of ten females aged 20-25, with at least six months of K-Drama viewing experience, participated in individual interviews lasting 20-40 minutes. Informed consent was obtained, and interviews were audio-recorded and followed by a debriefing. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis facilitated an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of the participants. Findings indicate that viewers engage with K-Dramas for excitement, appealing genres, and emotional processes such as catharsis. Participants also reflected on cultural differences in gender roles and romantic norms between South Korea and Sri Lanka. Overall, the study shows that K-Dramas influence emotional regulation, and personal aspirations, while highlighting the importance of critically engaging with media, knowing its psychological benefits and potential drawbacks
Open Access
A Participatory Approach to Developing Adolescent Support Groups Focusing on Social Emotional Wellbeing: Lessons from a Community-Based Intervention Conducted in Gothamipura, Sri Lanka
(School of Psychology. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2025-10-10) Jayatilake, P; Gunawardana, R; Goonetilleke, N
Adolescent mental health remains a growing concern in underserved urban communities in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to develop a culturally relevant support group model for adolescents in Gothamipura using a participatory approach. The objectives were to create a replicable context-sensitive intervention, enhancesocial-emotional wellbeing of participating adolescents, and offer a replicable framework for developing community-based psychosocial interventions in similar settings. The methodology involved two phases. The first phase involved focused group discussions and consultations with adolescents to understand social emotional focus areas. The second phase included designing sessions, pilot testing, and multiple feedbackand impact assessment sessions. A total of 26 sessions were conducted over 12 months, leading to the development of a support group model with 12 sessions. The model focused on three core areas: emotional awareness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Session content was refined iteratively basedon facilitator observations and participant feedback. Impact assessments showed improved understanding of emotions, greater awareness of distress tolerance strategies, and increased engagement in interpersonal skills, though comprehension levels varied among participants. The structured yet adaptable framework that emerged to develop the model highlights the importance of grounding psychosocial interventions inthe lived experiences of adolescents and incorporating continuous feedback throughout the development process. While the model showed promise, limitations included the absence of pre-post quantitative evaluation and challenges in sustaining the intervention beyond facilitator-led sessions. This study contributes to existing knowledge by demonstrating how participatory methods can support the design oflocally meaningful psychosocial programs for adolescents in low-resource, and marginalized settings.