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Displacement and Isolation: Insights from a Mental Stress Survey of Syrian Refugees in Houston, Texas, USA

Author

Listed:
  • Fatin Atrooz

    (Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Tzuan A. Chen

    (Department of Psychological Health and Learning Sciences, College of Education, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Brian Biekman

    (Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Ghalya Alrousan

    (Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Johanna Bick

    (HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Samina Salim

    (Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

Abstract

(1) Background: Syrians are the largest forcibly displaced population in the world. Approximately 20,000 Syrian refugees have resettled in the United States (US) since the civil war in Syria began in 2011, with an estimated 130 families resettling in Houston, Texas. We conducted a pilot study with the objective of examining the physical and mental well-being of the Houston Syrian refugee population. (2) Methods: Online surveys were conducted using psychometrically valid instruments including Afghan Symptom Checklist (ASC), Refugee Post-Migration Stress Scale (RPMSS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ) (3) Results: According to independent t -tests, Syrian refugee females scored higher than males on ASC (37.78 vs. 31.64, p = 0.0446), particularly in the subscales of sadness with social withdrawal (28.89 vs. 24.31, p = 0.0495), and stress-induced reactivity (6.56 vs. 4.86, p = 0.0004). Similarly, females scored higher than males in RPMSS (60.54 vs. 45.15, p = 0.0022), including the social strain domain (8.08 vs. 5.18, p = 0.0204). In PSS and SRQ, Syrian refugee females reported comparable stress and distress scores as males. (4) Conclusions: Syrian refugee females reported higher stress and distress than males. Displacement from their home country and social strain were the major sources of stress in Syrian refugee females, as indicated in RPMSS.

Suggested Citation

  • Fatin Atrooz & Tzuan A. Chen & Brian Biekman & Ghalya Alrousan & Johanna Bick & Samina Salim, 2022. "Displacement and Isolation: Insights from a Mental Stress Survey of Syrian Refugees in Houston, Texas, USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2547-:d:756015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tara M Powell & Oe Jin Shin & Shang-Ju Li & Yuan Hsiao, 2020. "Post-traumatic stress, social, and physical health: A mediation and moderation analysis of Syrian refugees and Jordanians in a border community," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(10), pages 1-17, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elżbieta Ociepa-Kicińska & Małgorzata Gorzałczyńska-Koczkodaj, 2022. "Forms of Aid Provided to Refugees of the 2022 Russia–Ukraine War: The Case of Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Fatin Atrooz & Sally Mohammad Aljararwah & Tzuan A. Chen & Omar F. Khabour & Samina Salim, 2023. "Understanding Mental Health Status of Syrian Refugee and Jordanian Women: Novel Insights from a Comparative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.

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    1. Fatin Atrooz & Sally Mohammad Aljararwah & Tzuan A. Chen & Omar F. Khabour & Samina Salim, 2023. "Understanding Mental Health Status of Syrian Refugee and Jordanian Women: Novel Insights from a Comparative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.

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