Coping Strategies Used by Syrian Refugees in Jordan

Abstract

This study examined the coping strategies used by Syrian refugees in Jordan in relation to their demographics. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with a convenient sample of 550 Syrian refugees. Out of all the study participants, 88% reported seeking social support, 64.5% reported using avoidance, and 39.5% reported using problem solving. Participants who were male, single, and younger, and who had a higher education and a higher total income were satisfied with their income, were employed and free of chronic illnesses, and had higher problem-solving scores. Higher social support-seeking scores were associated with being female, older, and widowed; having a lower education and lower total income; being dissatisfied with their income; being nonemployed; and having chronic illnesses. A number of significant predictors were identified for each coping strategy. The results of this study could be used to formulate programs and develop services regarding the stressors encountered by Syrian refugees and their coping strategies.

The Perceptions of Trauma, Complaints, Somatization, and Coping Strategies among Syrian Refugees in Germany—A Qualitative Study of an At-Risk Population

“…In the present study, it was reported that contact with other refugees was avoided, to avoid being confronted again with traumatic memories. Our research findings differ from those of other studies, such as the work by Alzoubi et al, which stated that it is particularly important to build a functioning social network with other refugees [15]. Further clarification is needed to determine whether problem-oriented coping through social contacts should be preferred or rejected.…”

“…Emotion-focused coping aims to reduce or control negative emotions, such as anxiety [14]. According to this stress model, previous studies have identified social support, avoidance, and problem solving (as appropriate) [15]; the early marriage of young girls and gender-based violence (as inappropriate mechanisms); and a shift in gender roles [16] as commonly used mechanisms among Syrian refugees. These refugees also establish relational-like relationships with their host families and access to the labor market as unskilled workers [17].…”

Voices of the vulnerable: Exploring the livelihood strategies, coping mechanisms and their impact on food insecurity, health and access to health care among Syrian refugees in the Beqaa region of Lebanon

“…households to solve any issue that they perceive as problematic [22], and the scientific literature is rich with examples of different coping mechanisms and strategies adopted by displaced individuals and refugees under stressful situations [23]. Some of these coping strategies focus on the emotional wellbeing of affected individuals, such as seeking social support and using religion and faith to overcome negative feelings and emotions [24,25], while other coping mechanisms adopted by refugees include food and non-food related mechanisms to overcome food shortages and economic constraints [26][27][28].…”

Resettled Syrian refugees in Jordan: Survival or health promotion

“…It is reported that number of Syrian refugees in Jordan in 2019 was 655,000, 124,720 of them lived in‐camps and 532,567 lived out of the camps (UNHCR, 2019). Refugees are exposed to many risk factors and suffered from poor living conditions and scarce resources, which made them susceptible to many physical and psychological problems such as anaemia and malnutrition (Alnuaimi, Kassab, Ali, Mohammad, & Shattnawi, 2017; Andresen et al., 2014), abnormal lipid level and vitamins deficiencies (Pour, Kumble, Hanieh, & Biggs, 2014), cardiovascular diseases (Collins et al., 2017), psychological problems due to lack of social support and exposure to trauma (El Arnaout et al., 2019), persistent hopelessness and stress due to cultural diversity, social isolation and language barriers (Alzoubi, Al‐Smadi, & Gougazeh, 2019; Kiselev et al., 2020; Yako & Biswas, 2014).…”

“…Interpersonal relations and social network had a positive impact in both physical health and emotional status of individuals and also in controlling stress (Thoits, 2011). A descriptive correlational study conducted with 550 Syrian refugees in Jordan indicated that 88% of refugees seeking social support as a method of coping strategy, regardless of the source of support (the family, the community, or formal or informal bodies) (Alzoubi et al., 2019). It is not known whether Syrian refugees use interpersonal relations as a health promotion practice in the context of migration.…”