Research Report: The Psychological Effect of 2023–2024 Dzud on Young Children in Rural Mongolia

Researcher: Amgalanbayar Ochirbat

Research Mentor: Muneera Rasheed

This study investigates the psychological effects of the 2023–2024 dzud, a severe winter disaster, on young children aged 3–6 in rural herding communities in Khentii and Arkhangai provinces, Mongolia. Using a retrospective, mixed-methods design combining standardised child, caregiver, and household-disruption measures, the research finds that children affected by the dzud showed significantly elevated psychological difficulties compared to community norms, with conduct problems most pronounced. Caregiver stress and depression were strongly correlated with children’s outcomes, as was the severity of household disruption. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, this is the first empirical application of the framework to a nomadic disaster context. The findings point to a need for holistic, risk-based mental health responses for children and caregivers integrated into national disaster management policy.

Keywords: dzud; climate disaster; child mental health; caregiver mental health; household disruption; Mongolia; psychosocial support; ecological systems theory