Correlates of Depression among Older Kurdish Refugees

Abstract

Little is known about the psychological status of older refugees who have immigrated from war-torn areas in the Middle East. This study examined the nature and predictors of depression among older Kurds living in one city in the United States. Older Kurds (N = 70) were recruited and surveyed by trained Kurdish interviewers in their native dialect. The majority of participants had very low incomes; had no education; were illiterate in their own language; and had little to no ability to speak, read, or write English. Elevated levels of depression were found, with 67.1 percent scoring above the clinical cutoff for depression and 25.7 percent scoring in the severe depression range. Depression was associated with demographic (age), stressor (migratory grief, death of spouse, number of medical conditions, functional disability, and income), and coping (English proficiency and social support) variables. Health conditions exerted the greatest effect. Migratory grief and social support were also significant predictors of depression. Results suggest substantial psychological distress among this understudied population of older refugees. Implications for research and practice with older members of newly established refugee populations are discussed.

Active Ageing: Social and Cultural Integration of Older Turkish Alevi Refugees in London

“…33 Language barrier constitutes adversity in terms of accessing social and health services and using available support mechanisms resulting on relying on support from other family members who are more able to communicate in the English language. 34 The findings of our study clearly indicate the lack of English language proficiency as a main barrier among older Alevi/Turkish refugees, which in turn generates significant obstacles to accessing the wider society. Lack of English language places older refugees in a vulnerable position as they approach an age when their health and care needs increase and consequently their needs to access services and communicate with health and social care professionals.…”

Psychosocial concerns reported by Syrian refugees living in Jordan: Systematic review of unpublished needs assessments

“…65 Environmental stressors, such as lack of employment rights, 66 affect mental health outcomes, 67 and produce psychosocial outcomes that themselves become stressors, such as social isolation. 34 Loss of social support increases feelings of loneliness, worsening symptoms of depression, 68 further isolating those most in need of help. Finally, reactions to PTEs and displacement stressors lead to increased anger and aggression.…”

How Kurdish Immigrant Parents in the United States Think about the Formal and Informal Education of Their Sons and Daughters

“…Once inside, the most effective method for recruiting participants is snowball sampling [49] [50], which is the method we used as well.…”