The Relationship Between Spirituality and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Syrian Adolescents in Jordan

"The wind does not go the way the ship wants!": stress and social support in Syrian migrant adolescents

PURPOSE

Previous studies reveal the importance of proximal context and social environment in the adaptation and resilience of immigrant adolescents. Syrian immigrant youth in Turkey face stressors such as acculturation, discrimination, and economic problems. However, more qualitative research is needed to examine the unique stressors and coping processes of Syrian immigrant youth and the social networks that support them. This study aimed to uncover the relevant unique relationships.

METHOD

The study involved 24 Syrian migrant adolescents aged 12-18, with four focus group interviews conducted from April to May 2024. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

CONCLUSIONS

The themes related to sources of stress were (a) life struggle, (b) peer relationships, (c) future anxiety, (d) social barriers, and the social support mechanisms in times of stress were discovered as (a) family (b) clergy and religious rituals (c) non-governmental organizations (d) school counselors. The results of our study shed light on the fact that Syrian migrant youth experience significant socioeconomic difficulties and are forced to leave formal education and work in unequal conditions. Our study also revealed that youths have difficulties in accessing education, health, and professional psychological support services due to perceived discrimination in public institutions such as schools and hospitals.

Religiosity and Positivity: Exploring the Relationship Between Religious Practices and Positive Thinking Among Jordanian University Students

This study investigates the relationship between religiosity, the frequency of daily and weekly religious practices, and positivity, conceptualised as positive thinking among Jordanian university students. Religiosity was assessed using a scale measuring the frequency of daily and weekly religious practices, while positivity was evaluated through self-reported measures of positive affect and cognitive appraisals. The analysis employed data from a random sample (n = 451; 68.7% female) at Yarmouk University, collected in 2023. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the association between daily spiritual experience and positivity. Linear regression analysis evaluated the predictive effect of daily spiritual experiences on positivity. The regression analysis revealed that daily spiritual experiences significantly predicted positivity (B = 0.37, SE = .03, β = .46, p < .01), explaining the variance in positivity. These results are consistent with prior research, demonstrating a positive relationship between daily spiritual experiences and positivity and between religiosity and overall psychological well-being.

Meaning, trust, and belonging: Exploring the factors that foster elite forced migrant athletes' growth

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Researchers have highlighted elite refugee athletes' acculturation and sport-related challenges upon transitioning into host country sports systems. Using a strength-based approach, we aimed to broaden this view through exploring the internal and external factors that have fostered refugee athletes' abilities to find meaning and growth following their transitions into a national sports system.

METHODOLOGY

Data collection began with an arts-based drawing activity which was then discussed in a conversational interview. Fourteen (n = 11 male, 3 female) national and international refugee athletes participated. The interviews were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis, a form of qualitative analysis used to derive commonalities that connect athletes' experiences. The data is represented through polyphonic vignettes (narrative featuring multiple perspectives) to safeguard athletes' anonymity whilst showcasing varying perspectives.

RESULTS

Athletes were at various phases of growth at the time of the interviews. The primary internal factor that facilitated growth was responsibility to find and pursue meaning. External factors of trust and belonging, actualized through supporting elite athletes' personal differences, were external factors that fostered their abilities to find meaning.

CONCLUSION

Elite refugee athletes' growth occurred at the nexus of individual responsibility, trusting relationships, and inclusive sport environments. The findings inform individual and environmental growth-based interventions for current and future elite athletes who face varying adversities within their sports contexts.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems among Children and Adolescents in Jordan: A Scoping Review

Introduction: In Jordan, mental health morbidity among children and adolescents is on the rise. Several studies in Jordan have assessed mental health issues and their associated factors among adolescents; however, there remains a lack of a collation of data regarding such issues. Objectives: To review the prevalence rates of mental health problems among children and adolescents in Jordan to understand the evidence base concerning psychiatric morbidity. Methods: The PubMed database, Cochrane Library, Virtual Health Library (VHL) Lilac, and APA PsycArticles were searched for literature published between January 2010 and May 2023. Studies were included if they were conducted on children and adolescents (≤19 years), were observational studies that reported prevalence data regarding psychosocial problems, and were studies conducted in Jordan. Results: The search yielded 211 records, of which 33 studies were assessed for eligibility and 28 met the inclusion criteria. The sample age ranged from 6-19 years. The prevalence rates ranged from 7.1% to 73.8% for depression, 16.3% to 46.8% for anxiety, 13.0-40.6% for ADHD, 11.7-55.2% for overall emotional and behavioral difficulties, 16.2-65.1% for PTSD, and 12-40.4% for eating disorders. Conclusions: The findings highlight the magnitude of mental health problems among children and adolescents and the heterogeneity of the results. Further studies are needed to investigate the prevalence of eating disorders among refugees, as well as sleeping disorders and substance use disorders among all adolescents.

Biological Psychiatry in Displaced Populations: What We Know, and What We Need to Begin to Learn

Conflict and climate change continue to displace millions of people, who experience unique trauma and stressors as they resettle in host countries. Both children and adults who are forcibly displaced, or choose to migrate, experience posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions at higher rates than the general population. This may be attributed to severe, cumulative stress and trauma (largely interpersonal traumas); discrimination and harassment in host countries; and structural barriers to accessing and addressing mental health concerns, including clinician availability, language barriers, cultural differences, geographic accessibility, health care access, and stigma. Despite high exposure to and clinical impact of such experiences, and despite representing 1% of the world population, forcibly displaced people are underrepresented in neuroscientific research. The availability of such literature and research findings is significant in understanding the unique genetic and cultural aspects of trauma- and stress-related mental health, advocacy, reducing stigma, informing prevention, and treatment. The present work aimed to explore how the field of neuroscience can address mental health equity for individuals who have been uprooted in relation to land, with a focus on refugee populations. We offer practical suggestions on how to improve research in this area and narrow the gap in knowledge.

Addressing Mental Health Concerns in Refugees and Displaced Populations: Is Enough Being Done?

There are over 82.4 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, about a quarter of whom are resettling as refugees. In the wake of the global refugee crisis spurred by conflict, religious and political persecution, human rights violations, and climate disasters, a mental health has crisis followed. Not only does trauma experienced in home countries and as part of forced migration affect mental health, so too do post-migration traumatic events, discrimination, lack of access to quality and affordable healthcare and housing, and acculturation. To address mental health concerns in refugees and displaced populations, collective action is needed not only from health care providers but also from mental health researchers, funders, journals, resettlement agencies, government entities, and humanitarian organizations. The present review highlights the work of numerous scholars and organizations with the goal of understanding the mental health concerns of forcibly displaced persons within and across ecological systems. The present review seeks to bring attention to the experiences of forcibly displaced persons, summarize the growing body of research understanding the acute and chronic effects of forced displacement and possible interventions, and give a call to action for all members of the global community at every level to engage in joint efforts to improve mental health in refugees and displaced persons. Notably, there is a need for more interventions at the familial and community level that serve not only as treatment but also as prevention. Smartphone-based interventions, mind-body modalities, and interventions delivered by lay and non-clinician community members hold promise. Numerous strides could be made in refugee mental health and treatment when funding agencies include these goals in their research priorities. Despite the challenges they have faced, persons who resettle as refugees are incredibly resilient and deserve to be afforded every right, opportunity, dignity, and respect.