Mapping Psychosocial Interventions for Psychosis and Schizophrenia Across Gulf Countries: A Scoping and Narrative Review

Background/Objectives: Interest in mental health research from the Arab world has grown in recent years, yet evidence on effective care remains uneven across subregions. The unique landscape of the Gulf countries underscores the need for culturally responsive psychosocial interventions for these vulnerable populations. This scoping review aimed to map psychosocial interventions for psychosis and schizophrenia that have been evaluated in Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Methods: Following scoping review methodology and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidance, we conducted systematic searches across five databases (APA PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science). Records were screened using predefined eligibility criteria and grouped thematically based on intervention type. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, including six English-language studies and four Arabic-language studies. Studies were conducted in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, with no eligible studies found from Bahrain or Qatar. Intervention types clustered into four categories: psychosocial rehabilitation platforms, social and functional skills interventions, caregiver-focused psychosocial interventions, and transdiagnostic studies. Outcomes, cultural adaptation processes, and methodological reporting varied considerably across studies. Conclusions: The findings highlight gaps in intervention development, evaluation standards, and the reporting of cultural adaptation, which may inform culturally responsive service planning for people with psychosis and schizophrenia across the region. Future studies should use standardized concepts, validated outcome measures, and clearer reporting of cultural adaptation processes to support direct comparisons and improve treatment evaluation across Gulf countries.