The number of war-related traumatic events is associated with increased behavioural but not emotional problems among Syrian refugee children years after resettlement

Abstract Background: Turkey is the leading refugee-hosting country in the world. However, there are few studies which investigate mental wellbeing of refugee children in Turkey. Objective: The paper aims to examine the prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems and associated risk factors among Syrian refugee minors in Turkey. Methods: The research involved 85 students from 2 th to 8 th grades. We investigated emotional and behavioural problems with parent-reported Arabic form of Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Socio-demographical findings and children's war-related experiences were also examined. Results: The study sample consisted of 49 (63.6%) girls, and 28 (36.4%) boys (total 77) from age 7 to 17. Average time after resettlement was 29.8 ± 11.2 (5 to 50 months) months. 66 (85.7%) children reported to had lost at least one familiar person due to the war. The mean experienced war-related traumatic events were calculated as 2.92 ± 1.86. Total difficulty scores of 30 (39.0%) children were above the cut off values. The rates of children whose SDQ problem scores exceeded the cut-off values were as high as 45.5% (35) for Emotional problems, 64.9% (50) for Peer, 27.3% (21) for conduct and 19.5% (15) for Hyperactivity problems. Discussion: Results indicate high prevalence rates of severe traumatic experiences and possible psychiatric disorders among child survivors of Syrian war which in its seventh year now.

摘要
背景：土耳其是全球第一大难民接纳国，但针对土耳其境内难民儿童心理健康状况的相关研究仍较为匮乏。
目的：本研究旨在探讨土耳其境内叙利亚难民未成年人的情绪与行为问题患病率及其相关危险因素。
方法：本研究纳入2至8年级的学生共85名，采用家长报告版阿拉伯语版长处与困难问卷（Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ）评估其情绪与行为问题，并同时调查了社会人口学特征及儿童的战争相关经历。
结果：本研究有效分析样本共77名儿童，其中女童49名（占比63.6%），男童28名（占比36.4%），年龄范围为7至17岁。难民完成重新安置后的平均时长为29.8±11.2个月（区间为5至50个月）。66名儿童（占比85.7%）报告称因战争失去至少一位至亲。研究对象报告的战争相关创伤性事件平均数量为2.92±1.86件。共有30名儿童（占比39.0%）的总困难得分高于临界值。各类问题得分超出临界值的儿童占比分别为：情绪问题45.5%（35人）、同伴问题64.9%（50人）、品行问题27.3%（21人）以及多动问题19.5%（15人）。
讨论：研究结果显示，在已进入第七个年头的叙利亚战争中幸存的儿童，其严重创伤经历与潜在精神障碍的患病率均处于较高水平。