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Social ecological determinants of the mental distress among Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Turkey: A transnational perspective

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  • Ruhnke, Simon A.
  • Hertner, Laura
  • Köhler, Judith
  • Kluge, Ulrike

Abstract

Refugees are frequently shown to have worse mental health outcomes than non-displaced populations. This fact is commonly attributed to traumatic pre-displacement experiences. While important, the focus on trauma risks overlooking the role socioeconomic living-conditions in different arrival and transit contexts can play in determining refugees’ mental distress. Building on the ecological model of refugee distress, we investigate how social ecological conditions relate to the mental distress of Syrians in Lebanon and Turkey. Both countries present important spaces of arrival and transit for millions of displaced Syrians, each with a specific historical, political, social and economic context.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruhnke, Simon A. & Hertner, Laura & Köhler, Judith & Kluge, Ulrike, 2024. "Social ecological determinants of the mental distress among Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Turkey: A transnational perspective," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:346:y:2024:i:c:s0277953624001448
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116700
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caroline Krafft & Bilal Malaeb & Saja Al Zoubi, 2022. "How do policy approaches affect refugee economic outcomes? Insights from studies of Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 38(3), pages 654-677.
    2. Jude Alawa & Parmida Zarei & Kaveh Khoshnood, 2019. "Evaluating the Provision of Health Services and Barriers to Treatment for Chronic Diseases among Syrian Refugees in Turkey: A Review of Literature and Stakeholder Interviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Salti, Nisreen & Chaaban, Jad & Moussa, Wael & Irani, Alexandra & Al Mokdad, Rima & Jamaluddine, Zeina & Ghattas, Hala, 2022. "The impact of cash transfers on Syrian refugees in Lebanon: Evidence from a multidimensional regression discontinuity design," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    4. Saja Al Zoubi, 2023. "When coping strategies become a way of life: a gendered analysis of Syrian refugees in Lebanon," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(2), pages 126-144, April.
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    1. Asanov, Anastasiya-Mariya & Asanov, Igor & Buenstorf, Guido, 2024. "A low-cost digital first aid tool to reduce psychological distress in refugees: A multi-country randomized controlled trial of self-help online in the first months after the invasion of Ukraine," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    2. Gökçe, Merve Betül & Kırdar, Murat Güray, 2025. "The effects of civil war and forced migration on intimate partner violence among Syrian refugee women in Jordan," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).

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