Syrian refugees in Germany: Perspectives on mental health and coping strategies

Anna Renner; Rahel Hoffmann; Michaela Nagl; Susanne Roehr; Franziska Jung; Thomas Grochtdreis; Hans-Helmut König; Steffi Riedel-Heller; Anette Kersting

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109906

Syrian refugees in Germany: Perspectives on mental health and coping strategies

Standard

Syrian refugees in Germany: Perspectives on mental health and coping strategies. / Renner, Anna; Hoffmann, Rahel; Nagl, Michaela; Roehr, Susanne; Jung, Franziska; Grochtdreis, Thomas ; König, Hans-Helmut; Riedel-Heller, Steffi; Kersting, Anette.

in: J PSYCHOSOM RES, Jahrgang 129, 02.2020, S. 109906.

Publikationen: SCORING: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift/Zeitung › SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz › Forschung › Begutachtung

Harvard

Renner, A, Hoffmann, R, Nagl, M, Roehr, S, Jung, F, Grochtdreis, T , König, H-H, Riedel-Heller, S & Kersting, A 2020, 'Syrian refugees in Germany: Perspectives on mental health and coping strategies', J PSYCHOSOM RES, Jg. 129, S. 109906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109906

APA

Renner, A., Hoffmann, R., Nagl, M., Roehr, S., Jung, F., Grochtdreis, T., König, H-H., Riedel-Heller, S., & Kersting, A. (2020). Syrian refugees in Germany: Perspectives on mental health and coping strategies. J PSYCHOSOM RES, 129, 109906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109906

Vancouver

Renner A, Hoffmann R, Nagl M, Roehr S, Jung F, Grochtdreis T et al. Syrian refugees in Germany: Perspectives on mental health and coping strategies. J PSYCHOSOM RES. 2020 Feb;129:109906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109906

Bibtex

@article{40fa6ad250f14d23aaff6ddce173d9e1,

title = "Syrian refugees in Germany: Perspectives on mental health and coping strategies",

abstract = "OBJECTIVE: Syrians have been the largest group among asylum seekers in Germany since 2014. Refugees are exposed to various risks along the migration process, indicating the need for adequate psychosocial support. Following the advice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to consult the target group, this is the first study qualitatively investigating the perspectives on mental health and coping strategies of Syrian refugees in Germany.METHODS: A qualitative design with semi-structured focus group discussions was applied. Three focus groups with a total of N = 20 participants were conducted. Focus group discussions were analyzed using content-structuring content analysis.RESULTS: Hopelessness, fear, and worries were reported most frequently as emotional consequences of war, fleeing, and resettlement, along with cognitive, physical, social, and behavioral consequences. Among the reported consequences, symptoms of PTSD were identified. Contrary to depression and schizophrenia, PTSD was not explicitly mentioned. Possibilities of coping and support referred to meeting basic needs (e.g., mental health care), fostering participation and personal coping, with the social network stated as most important source of support. Barriers of accessing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services included poor information, stigma, and language difficulties.CONCLUSION: In contrast to earlier research, Syrian refugees reported numerous emotional symptoms as well as mental disorders as consequences of war, fleeing, and resettlement, indicating awareness of mental health sequelae. However, PTSD was not reported as possible consequence. The findings indicate the need for adequate psychoeducation, matching the participants' wish for improved information on mental health to reduce barriers accessing MHPSS.",

keywords = "Adaptation, Psychological/physiology, Adult, Female, Germany, Humans, Male, Mental Health/standards, Refugees/psychology, Syria, Young Adult",

author = "Anna Renner and Rahel Hoffmann and Michaela Nagl and Susanne Roehr and Franziska Jung and Thomas Grochtdreis and Hans-Helmut K{\"o}nig and Steffi Riedel-Heller and Anette Kersting",

year = "2020",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109906",

language = "English",

volume = "129",

pages = "109906",

journal = "J PSYCHOSOM RES",

issn = "0022-3999",

publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Syrian refugees in Germany: Perspectives on mental health and coping strategies

AU - Renner, Anna

AU - Hoffmann, Rahel

AU - Nagl, Michaela

AU - Roehr, Susanne

AU - Jung, Franziska

AU - Grochtdreis, Thomas

AU - König, Hans-Helmut

AU - Riedel-Heller, Steffi

AU - Kersting, Anette

PY - 2020/2

Y1 - 2020/2

N2 - OBJECTIVE: Syrians have been the largest group among asylum seekers in Germany since 2014. Refugees are exposed to various risks along the migration process, indicating the need for adequate psychosocial support. Following the advice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to consult the target group, this is the first study qualitatively investigating the perspectives on mental health and coping strategies of Syrian refugees in Germany.METHODS: A qualitative design with semi-structured focus group discussions was applied. Three focus groups with a total of N = 20 participants were conducted. Focus group discussions were analyzed using content-structuring content analysis.RESULTS: Hopelessness, fear, and worries were reported most frequently as emotional consequences of war, fleeing, and resettlement, along with cognitive, physical, social, and behavioral consequences. Among the reported consequences, symptoms of PTSD were identified. Contrary to depression and schizophrenia, PTSD was not explicitly mentioned. Possibilities of coping and support referred to meeting basic needs (e.g., mental health care), fostering participation and personal coping, with the social network stated as most important source of support. Barriers of accessing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services included poor information, stigma, and language difficulties.CONCLUSION: In contrast to earlier research, Syrian refugees reported numerous emotional symptoms as well as mental disorders as consequences of war, fleeing, and resettlement, indicating awareness of mental health sequelae. However, PTSD was not reported as possible consequence. The findings indicate the need for adequate psychoeducation, matching the participants' wish for improved information on mental health to reduce barriers accessing MHPSS.

AB - OBJECTIVE: Syrians have been the largest group among asylum seekers in Germany since 2014. Refugees are exposed to various risks along the migration process, indicating the need for adequate psychosocial support. Following the advice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to consult the target group, this is the first study qualitatively investigating the perspectives on mental health and coping strategies of Syrian refugees in Germany.METHODS: A qualitative design with semi-structured focus group discussions was applied. Three focus groups with a total of N = 20 participants were conducted. Focus group discussions were analyzed using content-structuring content analysis.RESULTS: Hopelessness, fear, and worries were reported most frequently as emotional consequences of war, fleeing, and resettlement, along with cognitive, physical, social, and behavioral consequences. Among the reported consequences, symptoms of PTSD were identified. Contrary to depression and schizophrenia, PTSD was not explicitly mentioned. Possibilities of coping and support referred to meeting basic needs (e.g., mental health care), fostering participation and personal coping, with the social network stated as most important source of support. Barriers of accessing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services included poor information, stigma, and language difficulties.CONCLUSION: In contrast to earlier research, Syrian refugees reported numerous emotional symptoms as well as mental disorders as consequences of war, fleeing, and resettlement, indicating awareness of mental health sequelae. However, PTSD was not reported as possible consequence. The findings indicate the need for adequate psychoeducation, matching the participants' wish for improved information on mental health to reduce barriers accessing MHPSS.

KW - Adaptation, Psychological/physiology

KW - Adult

KW - Female

KW - Germany

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Mental Health/standards

KW - Refugees/psychology

KW - Syria

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109906

DO - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109906

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 31884301

VL - 129

SP - 109906

JO - J PSYCHOSOM RES

JF - J PSYCHOSOM RES

SN - 0022-3999

ER -