The Protective Role of Spirituality, Mindfulness, and Hope in Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Afghan University Students

Depression is highly prevalent among university students worldwide, yet evidence from Afghanistan is limited. This study examined the protective roles of spirituality, mindfulness, and hope against depression among 450 undergraduate and master’s students from four universities in Kabul during the 2025 academic year. The sample was predominantly young adults, with 43.1% aged 18–22 years and 32.7% aged 23–27 years. Most participants were enrolled in bachelor’s programs (71.8%). Participants completed standardized questionnaires assessing depression, spiritual well-being, mindfulness, and hope. Results showed that higher levels of spirituality and mindfulness were associated with lower depression, whereas hope did not significantly relate to depression. Spirituality emerged as the strongest protective factor. Overall, the model explained 5% of the variance in depression, suggesting that additional contextual factors may also play a role. These findings highlight the importance of culturally embedded psychological resources in supporting mental health in fragile and conflict-affected environments. The study underscores the value of integrating spiritual well-being and mindfulness-based strategies into mental health promotion programs in Afghan higher education. Although causal conclusions cannot be drawn due to the cross-sectional design, these results provide a foundation for future longitudinal research and the development of culturally sensitive interventions aimed at reducing depression among young adults in Afghanistan.