Highlighting the mental health needs of Syrian refugees

Almoshmosh, Nadim

doi:10.1097/wtf.0000000000000085

Cited by 16 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…The most important and clinically significant problems among Syrian refugees are symptoms of emotional distress related to depression, prolonged grief disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and various forms of anxiety disorders [ 8 , 9 ]. Prominent factors determining whether psychosocial problems or emotional distress result in mental disorders are refugees’ resilience and coping mechanisms [ 10 , 11 ]. However, research on these factors is scarce regarding the mental health of refugees in general and Syrian refugees more specifically, leading to calls to take them into account to better inform programs that enhance functionality and coping strategies [ 8 , 9 , 12 – 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulatory focus, coping strategies and symptoms of anxiety and depression: A comparison between Syrian refugees in Turkey and Germany

2018

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Civil war, flight, escape and expulsion are extremely stressful and assert a negative impact on refugees’ mental health. However scientific research about resilience and coping of refugees is scarce. Especially in the recent refugee crisis, calls have been made to consider factors contributing to coping and resilience in this vulnerable population. Therefore, the current research sought to investigate individual differences that could serve as antecedents of coping and contextual factors that might moderate these effects. Specifically, it took into account individual’s self-regulatory differences in terms of regulatory focus (i.e., a promotion focus on nurturance needs, ideals and gains vs. a prevention focus on security needs, oughts and losses). It furthermore explored contextual influences by considering Syrian refugees in Turkey (Sample 1, N = 273) and Germany (Sample 2, N = 169). Compared to Syrian refugees in Turkey, those in Germany had a stronger promotion focus. They also reported more problem-focused and less maladaptive coping, as well as less symptoms. Both promotion and prevention focus were positively related to problem-focused coping. Problem-focused coping, in turn, predicted more symptoms in Turkey but not in Germany. Furthermore, a stronger promotion focus was associated with less symptoms and maladaptive coping was associated with more symptoms in both samples. These results contribute to the coping literature in demonstrating that under certain conditions problem-focused coping can be maladaptive and extend the scarce previous work on self-regulation and coping. Most importantly, they highlight a promotion focus as a clear resilience factor and the role of maladaptive coping in increasing vulnerability. As such, they might inform the design of effective interventions among Syrian refugees and beyond.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulatory focus, coping strategies and symptoms of anxiety and depression: A comparison between Syrian refugees in Turkey and Germany

2018

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“…These problems can amount to a mental disorder if they include high levels of suffering and functional impairment, but psychosocial problems or emotional distress in themselves do not necessarily imply that the person has a mental disorder (Bou Khalil, 2013;Almoshmosh, 2015). Difficult life circumstances often contribute to phenomena such as demoralisation and hopelessness, which may be related to profound and persistent existential concerns of safety, trust, coherence of identity, social role and society (El Sarraj et al 1996;Ellsberg et al 2008;IRC, 2012;Parker, 2015;Usta & Masterson, 2015).…”

Section: Emotional Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict

Hassan

Ventevogel

Jefee-Bahloul

et al. 2016

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci

426

423

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Aims. This paper is based on a report commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which aims to provide information on cultural aspects of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing relevant to care and support for Syrians affected by the crisis. This paper aims to inform mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) staff of the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing issues facing Syrians who are internally displaced and Syrian refugees.Methods. We conducted a systematic literature search designed to capture clinical, social science and general literature examining the mental health of the Syrian population. The main medical, psychological and social sciences databases (e.g. Medline, PubMed, PsycInfo) were searched (until July 2015) in Arabic, English and French language sources. This search was supplemented with web-based searches in Arabic, English and French media, and in assessment reports and evaluations, by nongovernmental organisations, intergovernmental organisations and agencies of the United Nations. This search strategy should not be taken as a comprehensive review of all issues related to MHPSS of Syrians as some unpublished reports and evaluations were not reviewed.Results. Conflict affected Syrians may experience a wide range of mental health problems including (1) exacerbations of pre-existing mental disorders; (2) new problems caused by conflict related violence, displacement and multiple losses; as well as (3) issues related to adaptation to the post-emergency context, for example living conditions in the countries of refuge. Some populations are particularly vulnerable such as men and women survivors of sexual or gender based violence, children who have experienced violence and exploitation and Syrians who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex. Several factors influence access to MHPSS services including language barriers, stigma associated with seeking mental health care and the power dynamics of the helping relationship. Trust and collaboration can be maximised by ensuring a culturally safe environment, respectful of diversity and based on mutual respect, in which the perspectives of clients and their families can be carefully explored.Conclusions. Sociocultural knowledge and cultural competency can improve the design and delivery of interventions to promote mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict and displacement, both within Syria and in countries hosting refugees from Syria.

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“…Publications started on 2012 with two documents; one was published in The Lancet and discussed the living conditions of Syrian refugees during the winter [ 10 ] while the second document was published in Psychologist and discussed the mental health needs of Syrian refugees [ 11 ]. The number of publications grew rapidly after 2014 and reached 115 (35.6%) documents in 2017 (Table 1 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed literature on Syrian refugees and displaced people (2011–2017)

Sweileh

2018

Confl Health

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BackgroundThe Syrian conflict has created the worst humanitarian crisis of our time with approximately half of Syria’s pre-war population killed or forced to flee their homes. The current study aimed to analyze peer-reviewed literature published on Syrian refugees and displaced people.MethodsA bibliometric methodology was implemented using Scopus database after retrieving documents relevant to Syrian refugees and displaced people.FindingsIn total, 323 documents were retrieved. Research articles constituted 71.2% (n = 230) of the retrieved documents. The bulk (61.6%; n = 199) of the retrieved documents were in health-related fields. Research domains of the retrieved health-related documents were mainly in the field of mental and psychosocial (17.3%; n = 56), infectious diseases (15.2%; n = 49), health policy and systems (16.4%; n = 53), maternal and reproductive health (15.2%; n = 49), and non-communicable diseases (NCD) (7.4%; n = 24). Authors from research institutions in the United States produced the highest number of publications (24.5%; n = 79), followed by Turkey (21.4%; n = 69) and Lebanon (10.2%; n = 33). The American University of Beirut was the most active (5.6%; n = 18) research institution. Aside from Lebanon and Jordan, there was very little contribution from other Arab states. Conflict and Health was the most active journal (5.3%; n = 17) in publishing on Syrian refugees and displaced people.ConclusionThe study highlighted some particular research gaps – most notably the limited research on NCDs. There was also modest international research collaboration and engagement from Arab countries aside from Lebanon and Jordan.

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Highlighting the mental health needs of Syrian refugees

Cited by 16 publications

References 0 publications

Regulatory focus, coping strategies and symptoms of anxiety and depression: A comparison between Syrian refugees in Turkey and Germany

Regulatory focus, coping strategies and symptoms of anxiety and depression: A comparison between Syrian refugees in Turkey and Germany

Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict

Bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed literature on Syrian refugees and displaced people (2011–2017)

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