Anna Renner1, Rahel Hoffmann2, Michaela Nagl3, Susanne Roehr4, Franziska Jung5, Thomas Grochtdreis6, Hans-Helmut König7, Steffi Riedel-Heller8, Anette Kersting9. 1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: anna.renner@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 2. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: rahel.hoffmann@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 3. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: michaela.nagl@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 4. Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: susanne.roehr@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 5. Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: franziska.jung@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 6. Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: t.grochtdreis@uke.de. 7. Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: h.koenig@uke.de. 8. Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: steffi.riedel-heller@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 9. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: anette.kersting@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
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.
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.
Authors: Kathrin Maier; Karol Konaszewski; Sebastian Binyamin Skalski; Arndt Büssing; Janusz Surzykiewicz Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-14 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Eva Spiritus-Beerden; An Verelst; Ines Devlieger; Nina Langer Primdahl; Fábio Botelho Guedes; Antonio Chiarenza; Stephanie De Maesschalck; Natalie Durbeej; Rocío Garrido; Margarida Gaspar de Matos; Elisabeth Ioannidi; Rebecca Murphy; Rachid Oulahal; Fatumo Osman; Beatriz Padilla; Virginia Paloma; Amer Shehadeh; Gesine Sturm; Maria van den Muijsenbergh; Katerina Vasilikou; Charles Watters; Sara Willems; Morten Skovdal; Ilse Derluyn Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-11 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Lena Walther; Julia Amann; Uwe Flick; Thi Minh Tam Ta; Malek Bajbouj; Eric Hahn Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-04-30 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Thomas Grochtdreis; Susanne Röhr; Franziska U Jung; Michaela Nagl; Anna Renner; Anette Kersting; Steffi G Riedel-Heller; Hans-Helmut König; Judith Dams Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-25 Impact factor: 3.390