Evaluation of Protective, Global Risk Factors and Health-Promotion Strategies on Mental and Emotional Health in Contemporary Society: A Review
Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: Mental and emotional health has become an increasingly important global public-health concern because psychological well-being is influenced not only by individual characteristics but also by social, economic, environmental and structural conditions. Poverty, unemployment, insecure housing, discrimination, violence, childhood adversity, social isolation, armed conflict, climate change and rapidly changing digital environments can increase vulnerability to psychological distress and mental-health conditions. Conversely, supportive relationships, social connectedness, quality education, meaningful employment, community participation, emotional and social skills and access to appropriate health and social services can promote resilience and well-being. This narrative review examines major risk and protective factors affecting mental and emotional health in contemporary society and discusses evidence-informed health-promotion and prevention strategies. Literature published predominantly from 2019 to 2026 was considered, with emphasis on World Health Organization publications and recent peer-reviewed systematic reviews, umbrella reviews and major scholarly literature. The evidence demonstrates that mental-health promotion requires a shift from an exclusively individual and clinical orientation towards population-based approaches that address social determinants across the life course. Health education has an important role in improving mental-health literacy, strengthening emotional and social skills, reducing stigma, promoting healthy coping and encouraging appropriate help-seeking. However, individual education alone cannot overcome structural conditions that generate mental-health inequalities. Effective action therefore requires collaboration across health, education, employment, housing, social protection, environmental and community sectors. The review concludes that improving mental and emotional health requires integrated, preventive, culturally responsive and rights-based approaches that combine individual-level interventions with action on the wider conditions in which people live, learn, work and age.
Author: ENABULELE, Bawa Hiqmat
Institution: University of Benin
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7224102751