Journal of Pediatric Nursing
2019

Mental health problems of Syrian refugee children: Post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety (Article)

Yayan E.H. , Düken M.E.* , Özdemir A.A. , Çelebioğlu A.
  • a Department of Child Health and Disease Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Inönü University, Malatya, 44280, Turkey
  • b Department of Child Health and Disease Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Inönü University, Malatya, 44280, Turkey, Department of Child Health and Disease Nursing, Faculty of Health Siences-Harran University-Şanlıurfa-Turkey, Turkey
  • c Department of Child Health and Disease Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medeniyet University, İstanbul, 34700, Turkey
  • d Department of Child Health and Disease Nursing, İçel Health School, Mersin University, Mersin, 33343, Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine the levels of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety in Syrian children who live in refugee camps. Designs and methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted using the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children-Trait Form (STAIC-Trait Form) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). The study sample included 1115 Syrian refugee children. Results: The mean age of refugee children was 10.53 ± 2.79 years. Of them, 52% were males and 38% had no diseases while 74% were smokers and smoked 8.39 ± 6.85 cigarettes per day. The children's mean score on CPTS-RI, STAIC-Trait Form and CDI was found to be 60.59 ± 14.50, 54.11 ± 14.55 and 47.57 ± 10.97, respectively. The regression analysis revealed that anxiety and depression had a statistically significant association with post-traumatic stress. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that refugee children have physical and psychosocial health problems and experience a high level of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety. Practice implications: In this context, the study recommends that nursing practices should be developed considering that children may have mental health problems due to war. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.

Author Keywords

Anxiety Refugee Depression Post-traumatic stress

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85067862416&doi=10.1016%2fj.pedn.2019.06.012&partnerID=40&md5=7ca8f374aa7ceb64b200825b65204251
DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2019.06.012
ISSN: 08825963
Original Language: English