Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Volume 52, Issue 10, 2017, Pages 1317-1324

Social identity continuity and mental health among Syrian refugees in Turkey (Article) (Open Access)

Smeekes A. , Verkuyten M.* , Çelebi E. , Acartürk C. , Onkun S.
  • a Ercomer, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, Utrecht, 3584 CH, Netherlands
  • b Ercomer, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, Utrecht, 3584 CH, Netherlands
  • c Sehir University, Istanbul, Turkey
  • d Sehir University, Istanbul, Turkey
  • e Sehir University, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: Building upon social psychological work on social identity and mental health, this study among Syrian refugees in Turkey examined the importance of multiple group memberships and identity continuity for mental health and well-being. Method: A survey study was conducted among the very difficult to reach population of Syrian refugees (N = 361). With path analysis in AMOS the associations were examined between multiple group memberships, social identity continuity and mental health and psychological well-being. Results: Indicate that belonging to multiple groups before migration was related to a higher likelihood of having preserved group memberships after migration (i.e., sense of social identity continuity), which, in turn, predicted greater life satisfaction and lower levels of depression. Multiple group membership, however, was also directly related to higher depression. Conclusions: Findings are discussed in relation to the importance of multiple group membership and feelings of identity continuity for refugees. © 2017, The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Turkey Identity continuity Mental health Refugees Well-being

Index Keywords

depression refugee Syrian Arab Republic path analysis mental health human Refugees Social Identification middle aged statistics and numerical data controlled study Turkey (republic) Aged ethnology Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult social status Humans psychology Adolescent life satisfaction male female questionnaire major clinical study adult Syria Turkey psychological well-being social behavior
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85025460724&doi=10.1007%2fs00127-017-1424-7&partnerID=40&md5=8c0182faee2880a793173b20bec1d10f
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-017-1424-7
ISSN: 09337954
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English