Mental Health Status and Service Assessment for Adult Syrian Refugees Resettled in Metropolitan Atlanta: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Journal: Journal of immigrant and minority health

Volume: 21

Issue: 5

Year of Publication: 2020

Affiliated Institutions:  Center for Humanitarian Emergencies, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Skander.mzah@gmail.com. Emergency Response and Recovery Branch, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. Center for Humanitarian Emergencies, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Abstract summary 

Because little is known about the mental health status of Syrian refugees in the United States, we conducted a survey among a convenience sample of those resettled in Atlanta between March 2011 and 2017. Though home visits, we delivered a questionnaire including standardized instruments (HSCL25 and PTSD-8) to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. We found high rates of anxiety (60%), depression (44%) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (84%) symptoms; however, only 20% of participants had seen a mental health professional. Reported reasons for not seeking professional help were lack of transportation and access to information. Findings of this survey indicate the high burden of mental health symptoms and the need for services to the study population. A longitudinal study with a larger sample size would improve the understanding of mental health needs and resilience factors of Syrian refugees resettled in the US.

Authors & Co-authors:  M'zah Skander S Lopes Cardozo Barbara B Evans Dabney P DP

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  UNHCR. Global Trends: forced displacement in 2015 [Internet]. 2015. http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/statistics/unhcrstats/576408cd7/unhcr-global-trends-2016.html.
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1007/s10903-018-0806-6
SSN : 1557-1920
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Anxiety;Depression;Global health security;Mental health;PTSD;Psychological distress;Refugees;Syria
Study Design
Longitudinal Study,,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States