INTRODUCTION:
This study examined the mental health outcomes of anxiety and emotional distress, and using these outcomes investigated the interplay between household socio-economic conditions and adolescent mental health within the context of Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Umlazi is a significant site of study as the second largest township in South Africa, has a high youth population, poverty, high unemployment rates and is affected by post-apartheid spatial inequality. Drawing from the Design and Evaluation of Adolescent Health Interventions and Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa (DASH) datasets under the Africa Research, Implementation Science and Education – the ARISE project, the research assesses how evolving household structures impacts psychological outcomes in adolescents 2,001 adolescents aged 10–24.

METHODS:
The study collected data using structured questionnaires, surveying 2,001 adolescents. This study employed a quantitative research methodology and used STATA.

RESULTS:
Findings demonstrate that historical processes - particularly apartheid-era disruptions have fundamentally reshaped family formations, contributing to economic instability, anxiety and emotional stress among adolescents. A key finding was that mental health challenges are widespread, especially among adolescent girls, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive support.

CONCLUSIONS:
Addressing mental health disparities among South African adolescents requires multi-layered interventions strengthening economic resources, parental support systems, and mental health service accessibility. This study would be most beneficial to stakeholders such as policymakers; public health officials or non-governmental organisations focused on youth development and mental health.