The Effect of Stressful Life Events of Syrian Asylum Seekers on Attitudes Towards Seeking Psychological Help: The Mediation Effect of Multidimensional Perceived Social Support

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to understand whether there is a significant relationship between the effects of stressful life events that Syrian refugees are exposed to and their attitudes toward seeking psychological help. The study also aimed to examine the multidimensional perceived social support by Syrian asylum seekers between the impacts of stressful life events they were exposed to and their attitudes towards seeking psychological help in terms of mediating role. Method: The study population of the research consists of Syrian refugees who migrated to Turkey because of the Syrian war. A total of 467 Syrian asylum seekers (187 women, 280 men) aged between 18-65 years participated in the study. The Impact of Life Events Scale, the Attitude Towards Seeking Psychological Help Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used as data collection tools. This study analyzed the mediating effect of the multidimensional perceived social support factor between stressful life events and the attitude factor towards seeking professional psychological help using structural equation modeling. Results: It has been observed that social support significantly affects Syrian refugees' attitudes towards seeking psychological help. In addition, it is thought that the negative relationship between stressful life events and social support affects attitudes towards seeking psychological help and reveals self-hiding behavior in this population. In addition, it is believed that a positive attitude toward seeking psychological help may be beneficial if it is accompanied by qualified social support.