Determinants of Mental Disorders in Syrian Refugees in Turkey Versus Internally Displaced Persons in Syria

Tekeli-Yeşil, Sıdıka; Işık, Esra; Ünal, Yeşim; Almossa, Fuad Aljomaa; Ünlü, Hande Konşuk; Aker, Ahmet

doi:10.2105/ajph.2018.304405

Cited by 43 publications

(57 citation statements)

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“…Predictors for elevated depressive symptoms were being female, having a loved one who was tortured, and not being satisfied with the current living situation [20]. These results indicate that besides the traumatic experiences at home or whilst fleeing their country, resettlement in a new country may also put refugees under great strain and have a powerful impact on mental health [19]. In this regard, studies have indicated that post-migration experiences often tend to be more detrimental to refugees' mental health than pre-migration traumatic events and that the post-migration environment plays a key role in either fostering or impeding recovery from trauma [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In addition to the incidence of one of these disorders alone, studies have revealed a frequent co-occurrence of these diseases in refugee populations [9,14,15]. Studies tackling populations of Syrian refugees in different receiving countries vary and often end up with heterogeneous results in prevalence rates of depression (34.7-65%) [11,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22], PTSD (19.6-84%) [4,6,11,16,19,20,22,23], and unspecified anxiety disorder (36.1-60%) [11,16,19,22]. This can mainly be explained due to clinical and methodological factors, e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The prevalence and risk factors for mental distress among Syrian refugees in Germany: a register-based follow-up study

et al. 2020

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Background: Mental disorders among refugees as well as their risk factors are already well documented in crosssectional reports. However, longitudinal follow-up designs are widely lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the change of the prevalence of mental disorders among Syrian refugees with German residence permission, taking into account their increasing length of stay in Germany, and to uncover the change in their relationship to pre-and post-migration risk factors. Methods: This study formed part of a register-based follow-up study with two measurement points in Erlangen (Germany). At the first time of recruitment in 2017, 200 of the 518 Syrian refugees with residence permission living in Erlangen took part. During the second survey timeframe 1.5 years later, in 2019, 108 of the former 200 Syrian refugees participated again and formed the total sample for this follow-up study. The survey instruments included demographics, migration-related variables and symptoms of post-traumatic stress (Essen Trauma Inventory, ETI), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7). Results: At the time of the first survey, 26.9% of the participants exceeded the cutoff for a clinically relevant depression diagnosis, 16.7% for an anxiety disorder and 13.9% for a PTSD diagnosis. At the second measurement point, it was 30.6% for depression, 15.7% for an anxiety disorder and 13.0% for PTSD. No significant changes between the measurement points were found for any of the disorders. In multiple linear regression analyses, higher perceived discrimination, a higher number of traumatic experiences and a shorter duration of residence permission were shown to be the most important pre-and post-migration predictors of psychological stress independent of the time of measurement.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence and risk factors for mental distress among Syrian refugees in Germany: a register-based follow-up study

et al. 2020

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“…Two previous studies found significantly higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Syrian migrants compared to host populations [ 5 , 6 ]. However, the emphasis on pre-migration trauma may overshadow other psychological needs of asylum seekers and the roles of displacement-related stressors [ 7 , 8 ], which have been shown to be important determinants of mental health among Syrian refugees in Turkey [ 9 ]. Displacement-related stressors are known to contribute to the development of chronic mental health disorders, including anxiety [ 10 ] and major depressive disorders [ 11 – 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major depressive disorder prevalence and risk factors among Syrian asylum seekers in Greece

et al. 2018

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BackgroundOver one million Syrian asylum seekers have travelled to Greece with the ultimate aim of reaching other countries in western Europe. Depression prevalence and associated sociodemographic and displacement characteristics have been reported for resettled migrants. However, the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and its risk factors have not been described among migrants engaged in the asylum process ensuing from the Syrian crisis. This study provides new data about the mental health status of migrants in transition in the context of protracted asylum procedures.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey in a Syrian refugee camp in the Attica region of Greece from January 16–31, 2017. Individuals ≥18 years of age with verbal Arabic or English language skills were eligible to participate. The Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8), an eight-item validated diagnostic and severity measure, was used to screen for MDD. We analysed the relationships between MDD and sociodemographic and displacement characteristics using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsA total of 135 surveys were completed, representing 40% of the adult population in the refugee camp. The mean age of the participants was 30 years (18–61 years); women comprised 41% of the sample; 74% of the participants had ever married; 67% had children; and 33% of participants had not attended secondary school, including 11% who had never attended school. Median time since departing the country of origin was 12 months (< 1–74 months). Median time spent in the asylum process in Greece was 10 months (< 1–49 months). MDD was detected in 44% (95% CI: 37–50) of participants. Being a woman (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 3.23, p = 0.019), each additional child (AOR: 1.61, p = 0.006), and increased time in the asylum process in Greece (AOR: 1.15, p = 0.043) were significant risk factors for MDD. Ever being married was associated with reduced odds of MDD (AOR: 0.23, p = 0.042).ConclusionsSyrian migrants face an extraordinarily high burden of MDD as they seek asylum. Incorporation of screening and treatment into service provision within refugee camps is urgently needed, particularly as migrants spend extended periods of time in transition due to protracted asylum procedures.

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“…The study also found that post-migration factors (including economic status, working status, receipt of economic support, and family unity after migration, among others) were stronger predictors of conflict-related mental health than pre-migration economic factors for both settings (Tekeli-Yesil et al . 2018). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depressive symptoms among women in Raqqa Governorate, Syria: associations with intimate partner violence, food insecurity, and perceived needs

Falb

Blackwell

Stennes³

et al. 2019

Glob. Ment. Health

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Background.Raqqa Governorate, Syria has recently been affected by overlapping conflicts related to the Syrian Civil war and occupation by ISIS, resulting in widespread displacement and disruption of economic livelihoods. However, little information is currently known about mental health needs and risk factors among women. Therefore, this study sought to examine potential risk factors for depressive symptoms among married women living in northern Syria.Methods.Data were collected between March and April 2018 as part of an evaluation of an International Rescue Committee cash transfer program targeted toward vulnerable households. Using cross-sectional data from 214 married women participating in the program, linear regression models were generated to explore the associations between depressive symptoms [nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)] and its potential risk factors, including food insecurity, perceived deprivation of basic needs [the Humanitarian Emergency Settings Perceived Needs Scale (HESPER) scale], and past-3-month intimate partner violence (IPV).Results.The average depressive symptom score was 10.5 (s.d.: 4.9; range: 2–27). In the final adjusted model, any form of recent IPV (β = 2.25; 95% CI 0.92–3.57; p = 0.001), severe food insecurity (β = 1.62; 95% CI 0.27–2.96; p = 0.02) and perceived needs (β = 0.38; 95% CI 0.18–0.57; p = 0.0002) were associated with an increase in depressive symptoms.Conclusion.Study findings point to the need to address the mental health needs of women in conflict-affected areas of Syria. Programming to address risk factors for depression, including IPV and other factors associated with daily stressors such as food insecurity and deprivation of basic needs, may be effective in reducing depression in this population.

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Determinants of Mental Disorders in Syrian Refugees in Turkey Versus Internally Displaced Persons in Syria

Cited by 43 publications

References 23 publications

The prevalence and risk factors for mental distress among Syrian refugees in Germany: a register-based follow-up study

The prevalence and risk factors for mental distress among Syrian refugees in Germany: a register-based follow-up study

Major depressive disorder prevalence and risk factors among Syrian asylum seekers in Greece

Depressive symptoms among women in Raqqa Governorate, Syria: associations with intimate partner violence, food insecurity, and perceived needs

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