Stakeholder perspectives on the anticipated acceptability of low-intensity psychological interventions in Java,...

Depression and anxiety remain major, largely unaddressed drivers of disability in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where scarce resources and persistent stigma constrain access to care. Scalable solutions are urgently needed. Low-intensity psychological interventions, delivered by trained non-specialists offer a promising pathway to close the treatment gap. This study examines the prospective acceptability of these interventions in Java, Indonesia, an exemplar of an under resourced health system, to guide targeted cultural adaptation and inform optimal implementation.

Using a qualitative descriptive design guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA), we conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 33) with people experiencing anxiety and depression and 21 focus groups with families (n = 34), health workers (n = 36), and community/religious leaders (n = 37) across 12 sites in Java. Data were collected in Bahasa/local languages, transcribed, translated, and analysed using TFA informed Framework Analysis. 5% of translations were independently back-verified. Stakeholder workshops and advisory panels shaped study design and interpretation.

Low mental health literacy and stigma undermined intervention coherence and affective attitude, with many conflating LIPIs with general counselling. Help-seeking was often delayed until distress became severe, reflecting limited understanding of mental health problems and available support. Despite these challenges, strong perceptions of effectiveness and positive affective attitudes were driven by cultural values of self-reliance and community support. Concerns centered on ethicality, particularlyprivacy risks and fear of social judgment, alongside undercertainty regarding the role of traditional healers and the burden associated with time and workload demands. Trust in lay health workers was high in rural areas but more variable in urban contexts.

Findings highlight that cultural, structural, and interpersonal factors shape anticipated intervention acceptability. While stigma and low literacy remain barriers, strong perceived need and cultural alignment suggest the potential for promising subsequent uptake. Addressing privacy, role clarity, and logistical burden through tailored adaptations and partnerships is critical. This study offers one of the first theoretically framed qualitative explorations of LIPI acceptability in Southeast Asia, highlighting culturally congruent pathways for subsequent LMIC implementation.