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Prevalence and predictors of common mental disorders among Syrian refugees in Istanbul, Turkey: a cross-sectional study.
- Source :
-
Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology . Mar2021, Vol. 56 Issue 3, p475-484. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- <bold>Purpose: </bold>The war in Syria has created the greatest refugee crisis in the twenty-first century. Turkey hosts the highest number of registered Syrian refugees, who are at increased risk of common mental disorders because of their exposure to war, violence and post-displacement stressors. The aim of this paper is to examine the prevalence and predictors of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among Syrian refugees living in Turkey.<bold>Methods: </bold>A cross-sectional survey of adult Syrian refugees was conducted between February and May 2018 in Istanbul (Sultanbeyli district). Participants (Nā=ā1678) were randomly selected through the registration system of the district municipality. The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25) was used to measure anxiety and depression and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL-5) assessed posttraumatic stress. Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were used.<bold>Results: </bold>The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD were 36.1%, 34.7% and 19.6%, respectively. Comorbidity was high. Regression analyses identified several socio-demographic, health and post-displacement variables that predicted common mental disorders including: being female, facing economic difficulties, previous trauma experience, and unmet need for social support, safety, law and justice. A lifetime history of mental health treatment and problems accessing adequate healthcare were associated with depression and anxiety but not with PTSD.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Mental disorder symptoms are highly prevalent among Syrian refugees in Turkey. The association with post-displacement factors points to the importance of comprehensive health and social services that can address these social, economic and cultural stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09337954
- Volume :
- 56
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 148904842
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01941-6