Objective: This study aimed to explore the mental well-being of Syrian refugees and identify their coping mechanisms and pathways towards integration into new communities.
Design: Qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews.
Setting And Participants: Adult Syrian refugees (>18 years old) currently residing in South East of England.
Results: 12 participants (3 women and 9 men) took part in the study, all were born in Syria and the majority (n=9) were over 45 years of age. Our findings show that Syrian refugees face constant challenges as they try to integrate into a new society. Loss of and separation from loved ones as well as the nostalgia for the homeland were often cited as a source of psychological distress that created an overwhelming sense of sadness. Participants reported that they struggled for connectedness due to cultural difference and the problematic nature of rapidly formed migrant communities in their new setting. They believed in 'being their own doctor' and turning to faith, ritual and nature for healing and comfort. Taboo and stigma around mental health and language barriers were cited as barriers to accessing mental healthcare services.
Conclusion: Past experiences and present challenges frame Syrian refugees' sense of well-being, impact use of healthcare and risk future mental health problems. It is hoped that this study will act as a catalyst for further research on this vulnerable group to promote integration, community support and culturally sensitive mental health services.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8381320 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046065 | DOI Listing |
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Plasma phosphorylated tau biomarkers open unprecedented opportunities for identifying carriers of Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology in early disease stages using minimally invasive techniques. Plasma p-tau biomarkers are believed to reflect tau phosphorylation and secretion. However, it remains unclear to what extent the magnitude of plasma p-tau abnormalities reflects neuronal network disturbance in the form of cognitive impairment.
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January 2025
Data and Web Science Group, School of Business Informatics and Mathematics, University of Manneim, Mannheim, Germany.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFJMIR Ment Health
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
Background: Mental health concerns have become increasingly prevalent; however, care remains inaccessible to many. While digital mental health interventions offer a promising solution, self-help and even coached apps have not fully addressed the challenge. There is now a growing interest in hybrid, or blended, care approaches that use apps as tools to augment, rather than to entirely guide, care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJMIR Form Res
January 2025
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom.
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