Prevalence of Common Mental Disorders Among Syrian Refugee Children and Adolescents in Sultanbeyli District, Istanbul

• In Event: Individual Differences in Risk and Resilience in Refugee Children

Abstract

Aims: Research demonstrates elevated levels of mental health issues among Syrian refugees, but the majority of studies have, to date, focused on adult populations. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Syrian children and adolescents living in Sultanbeyli district of Istanbul, Turkey.
Methods: A population-based survey among Syrian children and adolescents aged 8-17 living in Sultanbeyli district was conducted in 2019, as part of an all-age survey of disability. Eighty clusters of 50 participants (all-ages) were selected from the local Municipality’s refugee registration database using probability proportionate to size sampling. Children aged 8-17 were assessed for symptoms of common mental disorders using the Child Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8) and abbreviated versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-DC) and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED).
Results: Of the 852 participants, 23.7% screened positive for symptomatic depression, anxiety and PTSD. The prevalence estimates for depression, PTSD and anxiety were 12.5% (95% CI 9.8-15.8), 11.5% (95% CI 9.8-15.8) and 8.9% (95% CI 6.6-11.8), respectively. Depression and PTSD were significantly more common in older adolescents, whilst anxiety and PTSD were significantly more common in females. Depression was more common in children from poorer households and those who had received no education. Children coming from larger households were less likely to show symptoms of PTSD.
Conclusions: Syrian refugee children and adolescents are vulnerable to mental health problems, and culturally appropriate prevention and intervention support is needed for this population.

Authors

• Nathaniel Scherer, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
  Presenting Author

• Shaffa Hameed, International Centre for Evidence in Disability
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ceren Acartürk, Koc University, Istanbul
  Non-Presenting Author

• Gülten Deniz, Mülteciler Derneği
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ahmad Sheikhani, Relief International
  Non-Presenting Author

• Selin Volkan, Relief International
  Non-Presenting Author

• Ahmed Örücü, Mülteciler Derneği
  Non-Presenting Author

• Isotta Pivato, Relief International
  Non-Presenting Author

• İbrahim Akıncı, Mülteciler Derneği
  Non-Presenting Author

• Andrea Patterson, Relief International
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sarah Polack, International Centre for Evidence in Disability
  Non-Presenting Author