Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict
Open accessAbstract
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 This search strategy should not be taken as a comprehensive review of all issues related to MHPSS of Syrians as some unpublished reports and evaluations were not reviewed.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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Levels of psychological distress and mental disorders are significantly higher in Syrian refugees relative to global estimates.
“Published reports have estimated that the levels of psychological distress and mental disorders are significantly higher in Syrian refugees relative to global estimates (Hassan, Ventevogel, Jefee-Bahloul, Barkil-Oteo, & Kirmayer, 2016).”
From Feasibility trial of a scalable transdiagnostic group psychological intervention for Syrians residing in a refugee camp (2021) · cites this paper as Hassan, Ventevogel, Jefee-Bahloul, Barkil-Oteo, & Kirmayer, 2016
The section on mental health and psychosocial distress reports high levels of anxiety and depression among older Syrian refugees, and the Emotional disorders section describes clinically significant distress among conflict-affected Syrians (pages unavailable in our copy). The paper does not establish that rates of both psychological distress and mental disorders are significantly higher than global estimates; its Challenges with epidemiological studies section instead urges caution in interpreting prevalence studies. (LLM, conf=0.82)
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- Authors
- Hassan, G., Ventevogel, P., Jefee-Bahloul, H., Barkil-Oteo, A., & Kirmayer, L. J.
- Affiliations
- Université du Québec à Montréal (CA)
- Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (CH)
- University of Massachusetts Boston (US)
- Yale University (US)
- McGill University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Hassan, G.
- Venue
- Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2016-02-01
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 129-141
- ISSN
- 2045-7960 (ISSN-L)
- 2045-7979
- PMC
- PMC6998596
- OpenAlex
- W2254074333
- Cited by
- 514
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 44 · 2025: 56 · 2024: 64 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 79 · 2020: 60 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 5
- FWCI
- 52.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Yale University
- George Washington University
- McGill University
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Conflict Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- Syrian refugees, internally displaced persons, armed conflict, mental health, psychosocial well-being, mental health and psychosocial support, cultural competence, sexual and gender-based violence, children exposed to violence, LGBT refugees, language barriers
- MeSH terms
- Armed Conflicts, Sexual and Gender Minorities, Adult, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Refugees, Syria, Violence, Survivors
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