Prevalence of depression in Syrian refugees and the influence of religiosity

Naja, Wadih; Aoun, Michaelangelo P.; Khoury, Elie; Abdallah, Fabiola J. Bou; Haddad, Raymond N.

doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.04.002

Cited by 100 publications

(98 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Approximately one-third of the participants met the criteria for at least one diagnosis. These results are in contrast to the findings of previous studies from different countries that have shown high prevalence rates of mental distress among Syrian refugees (7–13). …”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…The participants were still going through the asylum procedure at that time, with a short length of stay in Germany. Other studies have also focused on asylum seekers (2, 10, 13). Kazour et al (11) included Syrian refugees living in camps in Lebanon, with a mean duration of displacement of 10 months.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have investigated the mental health problems of Syrian refugees in recent years. Prevalence rates range from 20.5 to 35.7% for PTSD (7–12), from 20 to 43.9% for depression (7–9, 12, 13), and from 19.3 to 31.8% for anxiety (8, 12). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of Mental Distress Among Syrian Refugees With Residence Permission in Germany: A Registry-Based Study

et al. 2018

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Background: High rates of prevalence of mental distress among the Syrian refugee population have been repeatedly confirmed. However, little is known about the influence of length of stay, living conditions, and residence permission in the host country or about the duration of the escape journey and travel conditions on mental health in this refugee population. This study examines the mental health of Syrian refugees, taking into account the circumstances in their country of origin and host country, as well as their escape conditions.Methods: This investigation formed part of a registry-based study. A sample of 518 adult Syrian refugees in Erlangen, Germany, who have residence permission was identified. The response rate was 38.6%; a total of 200 Syrian refugees thus participated in the study. The respondents were investigated for post-traumatic stress disorder (ETI), depression (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety (GAD-7) and post-migration variables.Results: The prevalence of participants who had personally experienced and/or witnessed traumatic events was 75.3%. Symptoms of PTSD were found in 11.4% of the participants. Moderate to severe depression was confirmed in 14.5% and moderate to severe generalized anxiety in 13.5% of the sample. The criteria for at least one diagnosis were met by 30.5% of the participants. More severe PTSD symptoms were associated with older age, shorter validity of the residence permit, larger number of traumatic events (TEs) and higher generalized anxiety symptoms. Depression symptoms were associated with younger age, shorter duration of escape journey, larger number of TEs and higher generalized anxiety symptoms. Generalized anxiety symptoms correlated with female gender, PTSD, and depression symptoms.Conclusions: These findings suggest that Syrian refugees in Germany are a vulnerable population, especially if they have experienced and/or witnessed multiple traumatic events. However, post-migration conditions and positive future prospects in the host country can be protective factors for this population.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of Mental Distress Among Syrian Refugees With Residence Permission in Germany: A Registry-Based Study

et al. 2018

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“…In a sample of 310 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the prevalence of current depression was 43.9% [12]. In a sample of 352 refugees from Syria, Alpak et al [13] reported a frequency of PTSD of 33.5%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Manifestations of Mental Distress in Arabic Asylum Seekers Accommodated in Collective Centers for Refugees in Germany

Georgiadou

Morawa

Erim

2017

IJERPH

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The number of asylum seekers in Germany has significantly increased in the last two years. Coming from regions of political conflict and war, the refugees have often experienced traumatic events which designate them as a high risk group for mental disorders. In a sample of Arabic speaking asylum seekers in collective accommodation centers in Erlangen, Germany, we estimated the extent of posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. A further objective of the study was to test the comprehensibility and cultural appropriateness of the Arabic translations of the questionnaires in this sample. Between August and September 2016, 56 Arabic speaking asylum seekers placed among three collective accommodation centers in Erlangen completed self-report questionnaires assessing posttraumatic stress disorder (Essen Trauma-Inventory, ETI), and symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire—depression module, PHQ-9) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD-7). The prevalence of participants with personally and/or witnessed traumatic events was 80.4% (n = 45). About one-third of the examinees (35.7%, n = 20) endorsed symptoms of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). The total score for depression in this sample was M = 11.9 (SD = 7.9, range: 0–27). Moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 15) was found in 35.7% (n = 20) of our sample and severe depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 20) was found in 23.2% (n = 13). The total score for anxiety was M = 8.8 (SD = 6.9, range: 0–21), with 26.8% (n = 15) of the sample showing symptoms of severe anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥ 15). No significant difference between women and men with respect to frequency and symptom scores of PTSD, depression, and anxiety was found. Amongst asylum seekers of the presented sample, the rates of traumatic events as well as the prevalence of possible PTSD, depression, and anxiety were significantly higher than in the German population. This indicates that the refugee population is in need of culturally sensitive psychological interventions. However, more studies are required to improve the understanding of mental health among this particularly vulnerable population.

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“…Other studies showed similar results. In a recent study assessing prevalence of depression in Syrian refugees, the prevalence of current depression was 43.9% as compared to the prevalence rate for pre-war depression of 6.5% [23] . While that study did not show that religion was a factor affecting depression, other studies showed that having an Islamic or Christian faith was associated with fewer internalizing problems [24] .…”

Section: Mental-and Psychological-related Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultural Challenges in the Care of Refugees with End-Stage Renal Disease: What Western Nephrologists Should Know

Sekkarie

Abdel‐Rahman

2017

Nephron

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Forced migration is on the rise, mainly from the Middle East to western countries, resulting in unprecedented moral, political, and economic challenges for both refugees and host communities. Recent research showed that refugees represent around 1.5% of the dialysis population in several European and Middle Eastern countries surveyed. Despite the fact that refugees represent a small percentage of all dialysis patients in these countries, adequate care for this population is challenging. There are cultural differences between refugee patients with end-stage renal disease hailing from the Middle East, who are predominantly Muslims, and people from the western host countries. These differences may present a major obstacle in ensuring adequate patient care. In this study, we identify several of these issues that we believe western renal providers should be aware of.

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Prevalence of depression in Syrian refugees and the influence of religiosity

Cited by 100 publications

References 38 publications

Prevalence of Mental Distress Among Syrian Refugees With Residence Permission in Germany: A Registry-Based Study

Prevalence of Mental Distress Among Syrian Refugees With Residence Permission in Germany: A Registry-Based Study

High Manifestations of Mental Distress in Arabic Asylum Seekers Accommodated in Collective Centers for Refugees in Germany

Cultural Challenges in the Care of Refugees with End-Stage Renal Disease: What Western Nephrologists Should Know

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