scholarly journals Exploring the bidirectional relationship between chronic disease and depression among female Syrian refugees and Jordanians: a qualitative analysis

Author(s):  
Madison B. Sharp ◽  
Janine Kara ◽  
Salma Almidani ◽  
Mamoun Ahram ◽  
Refqi Mahmoud ◽  
...  

Background: Nearly 700 000 Syrian refugees currently reside in Jordan. Chronic disease and neuropsychiatric conditions are leading contributors of morbidity among refugee and host communities. The bidirectional relationship between depression and chronic disease is not well studied among displaced Syrian or Jordanian women. Aims: This qualitative study explores the bidirectional relationship between chronic illness and comorbid depression, as well as related themes, among Jordanian and Syrian women with known chronic disease—populations that receive medical care through distinct and evolving health care structures—to assist providers and policy makers in creating culturally sensitive interventions. Methods: Forty Jordanian women and Syrian refugees with chronic disease were interviewed at four clinical settings in Amman, Jordan. Data collection occurred from June–August 2017. Content analysis was completed with Dedoose, a qualitative coding software. Results: The majority of Syrian women endorsed a relationship between their chronic disease and depression. Some women felt too depressed to take medication for chronic conditions, while others felt depression contributed to chronic illnesses. Syrian women reported less perceived social support than Jordanian women. Although some Syrians were unable to afford medications, they reported fewer negative health care experiences than Jordanians. Both populations endorsed female-specific hardships impacting their mental health, including the demands of motherhood, household duties, and marital strife. Conclusion: This study explores the intersection of depression and chronic disease among Syrian and Jordanian women. By documenting stressors and experiences accessing health care, mental health and chronic disease interventions can be integrated and tailored to these populations.

Author(s):  
Tonda L. Hughes ◽  
Ellen D. B. Riggle ◽  
Patricia Moreland ◽  
Rebecca White ◽  
Darius Gishoma

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunanda. G. T ◽  
Mrs. Ashwini. R ◽  
Dr. Eilean Lazarus Victoria

Women mental health needs arise from the biological differences, life situations of women, the stresses of changing society, decreasing social support from family and community and related issues. The broader aspects of meet the needs of women mental health care must need to be strengthen the family support, increase the mental health professional interest on these issues and also sensitize the writers, media, law, policy makers regarding women’s mental health care needs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Bär ◽  
Alexander Pabst ◽  
Susanne Röhr ◽  
Melanie Luppa ◽  
Anna Renner ◽  
...  

Background: The high prevalence of mental disorders related to posttraumatic stress among Syrian refugees is often in contrast with their low utilization of mental health care in the host countries. Mental health self-stigma, i.e., internalized stigma of having a mental disorder, could prevent individuals from seeking mental health care. Therefore, we aimed to provide evidence on different aspects of mental health self-stigmatization among adult Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms residing in Germany. Moreover, we investigated associations with sociodemographic and psychopathological variables in order to identify those at higher risk of self-stigmatization.Material and Methods: Overall, 133 participants with mild to moderate posttraumatic stress symptoms were recruited in the metropolitan areas of Leipzig, Dresden and Halle, Germany, using a multimodal approach. Mental health self-stigma was assessed using the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale – Short Form (SSMIS-SF), consisting of four subscales (Stereotype awareness, Stereotype agreement, Application to self , Harm to self-esteem), each scoring from 5 (low) to 45 (high) points. Linear regression analysis was used to test associations of sociodemographic and psychopathological variables with self-stigma subscales.Results: On average, self-stigma ratings ranged from 16.5 (SD = 6.6) points on Application to self to 28.3 (SD = 7.5) points on Stereotype awareness. Results showed higher scores on Application to self for individuals who were younger (t = 2.65, p = 0.009) and single (F = 5.70, p = 0.004). Regression analyses yielded statistically significant associations between having multiple comorbidities and a higher Application to self stigma (β = 0.18, p = 0.044), controlling for sociodemographic covariates.Discussion: Mental health self-stigma was increased among Syrian refugees in Germany. Correlates of increased self-stigma could inform efforts to improve access to mental health care among Syrian refugees with mental ill-health. Longitudinal studies following an intersectional approach by concurrently examining multiple forms of public and internalized stigma could provide helpful insights for developing tailored stigma reduction efforts in this context.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D C Fuhr ◽  
C Ataturk ◽  
M McGrath ◽  
Z Ilkkursun ◽  
A Woodward ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Turkey hosts the highest number of Syrian refugees in Europe. Refugees are often vulnerable to situational forms of psychosocial distress as a consequence of exposure to war and violence which may result in more profound mental health problems if no treatment is sought. The aim of this study is to report evidence on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs, access and barriers to MHPSS care among Syrians refugees living in Istanbul, Turkey. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Syrian refugees aged 18 years or over in Istanbul (Sultanbeyli) between February and May 2018. Data among 1’678 Syrian refugees were collected on mental health outcomes using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL-5) and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25) for depression and anxiety. We also collected data on health care utilization, barriers to seeking and continuing care as well as knowledge and attitudes towards mental health. Descriptive analyses were used. Results The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety was 19.6%, 34.7% and 36.1% respectively. The treatment gap was 89% for PTSD, 90% for anxiety and 88% for depression. 249 respondents (15%) screened positive for either PTSD, depression or anxiety in our survey and self-reported emotional/behavioural problems since arriving in Sultanbeyli. Several structural and attitudinal barriers for not seeking care were reported. Conclusions To overcome the treatment gap, mental health care programmes need to be more responsive to the needs of Syrian refugees. Barriers to seeking and continuing care can be overcome by providing MHPSS services in the community which facilitate access to care. Community-based programmes of care should be supported by activities which increase awareness about mental health issues and tackle negative attitudes towards mental illness. Key messages This study provides the first nationally representative data on the mental health of Syrian refugees in Turkey, and shows that refugees have high mental health needs. Syrian refugees do not seek mental health care despite availability of mental health services in the community.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (8) ◽  
pp. e199910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbora Sporinova ◽  
Braden Manns ◽  
Marcello Tonelli ◽  
Brenda Hemmelgarn ◽  
Frank MacMaster ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbie E. Goldberg ◽  
Katherine A. Kuvalanka ◽  
Stephanie L. Budge ◽  
Madeline B. Benz ◽  
JuliAnna Z. Smith

An increasing number of young adults identify with nonbinary gender identities. Yet health providers and therapists often lack understanding of such identities. In this mixed-methods study of 506 transgender undergraduate and graduate students, most of whom (75%) had nonbinary gender identities, we aimed to understand participants’ mental health and health care experiences, and factors related to misgendering and less affirming treatment by providers. Eighty-five percent of participants reported mental health challenges, and named fear of violence and nonsupport as distal stressors. Experiences with therapists and health providers were mixed. Salient features of negative interactions were invalidation, avoidance, or overemphasis in regard to participants’ nonbinary identities. Participants viewed counseling services as more affirming than health services. Nonbinary students reported more misgendering by therapists and health providers, and less trans-affirming care by health service providers, compared to binary students. Undergraduate students reported more misgendering by therapists and health providers than graduate students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1053-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgitta Andershed ◽  
Mats Ewertzon ◽  
Anita Johansson

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S620-S620
Author(s):  
K. Bazaid

War is the most serious of all threats to health (World Health Organization, 1982) and can have severe and lasting impacts on mental health. Forced displacement and migration generate risks to mental well-being, which can result in psychiatric illness. Yet, the majority of refugees do not develop psychopathology. Rather, they demonstrate resilience in the face of tremendous adversity. The influx of Syrian refugees to Canada poses challenges to the health care system. We will present our experience to date in the Ottawa region, including a multisector collaborative effort to provide settlement and health services to newly arriving refugees from the Middle East and elsewhere. The workshop will be brought to life by engaging with clinical cases and public health scenarios that present real world clinical challenges to the provision of mental health care for refugees.Objectives(1) Understand the predicament of refugees including risks to mental health, coping strategies and mental health consequences, (2) know the evidence for the emergence of mental illness in refugees and the effectiveness of multi-level interventions, (3) become familiar with published guidelines and gain a working knowledge of assessment and management of psychiatric conditions in refugee populations and cultural idioms of distress.How will the participants receive feedback about their learning? Participants will have direct feedback through answers to questions. The authors welcome subsequent communication by email. Presenters can give attendants handouts on pertinent and concise information linked to the workshop.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


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