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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a persistent psychiatric disorder causing significant impairment in functioning. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated OCD-related symptoms and interrupted access to treatment. Recent research suggests mHealth apps are promising tools for coping with OCD symptoms. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a CBT-based mobile application designed to reduce OCD symptoms and cognitions in community participants considered at high-risk of developing OCD symptoms. Following initial screening ( n =924), fifty-five community participants scoring 2 standard deviations above the OCI-R mean were randomized into two groups. In the immediate-app use group (iApp; n =25), participants started using the application at baseline (T0), 4min a day, for 12 days (T0 - T1). Participants in the delayed-app group (dApp; n =20) started using the mobile application at T1 (crossover) and used the app for the following 12 consecutive days (T1 - T2). Intention to treat analyses indicated that using the app for 12 consecutive days was associated with large effect-size reductions (Cohen’s d ranging from .87 to 2.73) in OCD symptoms and maladaptive cognitions in the iApp group (from T0 to T1) and dApp group (from T1 to T2). These reductions were maintained at follow-up. Our findings underscore the usefulness of brief, low-intensity, portable interventions in reducing OCD symptoms and cognitions during the pandemic.

Background: Due to the civil war since 2011, around 4 million Syrian refugees have migrated to Turkey from their home countries. It is well known that being a refugee, especially a female refugee, is considered to be one of the highest risk group in conflict areas. The psychological adaption challenges and extreme feelings of homesickness have resulted in mental health issues that are more prevalent among refugee women. This study aims to understand how context-specific factors influence Syrian refugee women’ psychosocial wellbeing and mental health through focus group discussions. Methods: A total of 9 focus groups were conducted with Syrian women (4), Syrian men (3) and stakeholders (2). Qualitative assessment was used to examine the experiences related to the psychological health difficulties of Syrian women living in Turkey with temporary protection status. Thematic analysis was run to analyze the data by coding and identifying themes or patterns. In this study, their psychosocial problems, intention to seek professional help, access to existing services, challenges in access to, and expectations regarding these services were evaluated. Results: Refugee women experience psychological and social difficulties just because they are women. Also, refugee women seem to be more vulnerable to psychological problems than men due to the effect of patriarchal ideology and the problems experienced before the forced migration. Conclusions:Psychosocial well-being of Syrian refugee women is affected by the social, economic and political atmosphere, and it is important to develop policies that address the needs of these women.