Work

Navigating wellness through integration: coping strategies for depression among Syrian refugees in Norway

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Refugees frequently face the challenges of adapting to unfamiliar environments and new cultural contexts. Such adaptations emphasize the importance of coping strategies during resettlement and for individuals to successfully integrate in the new communities. Particularly for Syrian refugees in Norway, many of whom have escaped war and conflict, understanding their ways of coping with mental health problems, such as depression, is pivotal. METHOD: This study used a cross-sectional study design to explore the relationship between integration aspects and coping strategies for depression from the Syrian population living in Norway. Syrian participants (N = 96) answered questions from the Brief COPE, the Hopkins symptom checklist (HSCL-13), and the Immigration Policy Lab index (IPL-12/24). RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that employing a problem-focused coping strategy was significantly associated with better psychological and social integration outcomes among Syrian refugees in Norwegian society. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that certain aspects of integration, such as feeling a sense of belonging and actively seeking help, significantly improve mental health outcomes for Syrian refugees. Emphasizing problem-focused coping strategies could be vital in facilitating the successful integration of refugees into Norwegian society.

Source: BMC Psychology

DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01987-0

Author: Dixie Brea Larios

Institution: University of Bergen

Language: English

Topic: Migration, Health and Trauma

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,790