Problems After Flight: Understanding and Comparing Syrians’ Perspectives in the Middle East and Europe

Abstract

Background: Syrian refugees and asylum seekers (SRAs) face multiple stressors after flight, which may vary due to different geographic, economic, cultural and socio-political contexts in the host countries. Past research has recognized the importance of participants’ own perspectives. The aims of this multi-country study were to identify and compare self-reported problems of SRAs between various settings. Methods: A semi-structured client-generated outcome measurement was used to collect data among adult SRAs in Jordan (N=61), Turkey (N=46) and Switzerland (N=57) between September 2018 and November 2019. Answers were analysed following thematic analysis. Results: Over half of the participants reported practical problems with an emphasis on camp-related problems (Jordan), finances (Turkey), employment (Jordan and Switzerland) and government regulations (Switzerland), followed by psychological, and social issues. Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of local contextual factors on wellbeing. The findings emphasise that planning preventative procedures and mental health care services for SRAs need to consider local challenges affecting the population in specific countries.

Post-traumatic stress disorder interventions for children and adolescents affected by war in low- and middle-income countries in the Middle East: systematic review

“…61 Despite this, five out of six studies were evaluated as having an appropriate professional to deliver the intervention. Most had either a formal mental health background, 32–34 were teachers trained specifically to deliver the intervention 25,35 or used interventions that did not require mental health background. 31 Although the task-shifting model may be desirable and cost-effective, the availability of supervision and training is still needed for lay counsellors, 62 non-mental health professionals and families involved with service delivery.…”

“…Many children and adolescents previously living in LMICs in the Middle East have been displaced, with large populations moving into Middle Eastern countries not currently experiencing war, such as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. 25 We therefore expanded our review focus to include children and adolescents who have been displaced to these regions. Four research questions are addressed: What are the available RCT-assessed interventions for children and adolescents?…”

Scalable psychological interventions for Syrian refugees in Europe and the Middle East: STRENGTHS study protocol for a prospective individual participant data meta-analysis

“…Although we will register the CAU delivered at each site using the CSRI measure, it cannot be precluded that differences in CAU may affect the results. Furthermore, migratory patterns as well as the ongoing stressors might differ considerably across settings 1 75. Third, the use of different recruitment strategies across and within trials may have affected sample composition and treatment effects 76.…”

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the 12-item Arabic World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) as a screening tool for Syrian refugees

“…Environmental factors, such as limited access to basic needs and harsh living conditions, can lead to reduced abilities to function. 2 Psychosocial distress and poor physical health directly have an impact on disability and functioning. 3 There is a well-known link between emotional distress and related impairments in functioning, meaning those with higher levels of distress are likely to experience more marked impairment and disability.…”