Journal Article

Social identity continuity and mental health among Syrian refugees in Turkey

Onkun, Samed, Verkuyten, Maykel, Smeekes, Anouk, Acartürk, Ceren, Çelebi, Elif

2017

Overview

Purpose Building upon social psychological work on social identity and mental health, this study among Syrian refugees in Turkey examined the importance of multiple group memberships and identity continuity for mental health and well-being. Method A survey study was conducted among the very difficult to reach population of Syrian refugees ( N  = 361). With path analysis in AMOS the associations were examined between multiple group memberships, social identity continuity and mental health and psychological well-being. Results Indicate that belonging to multiple groups before migration was related to a higher likelihood of having preserved group memberships after migration (i.e., sense of social identity continuity), which, in turn, predicted greater life satisfaction and lower levels of depression. Multiple group membership, however, was also directly related to higher depression. Conclusions Findings are discussed in relation to the importance of multiple group membership and feelings of identity continuity for refugees.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Analysis / Belonging / Continuity / Depression - epidemiology / Epidemiology / Female / Group identity / Health surveys / Humans / Life prediction / Life satisfaction / Male / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Membership / Mental depression / Mental health / Mental Health - statistics & numerical data / Middle Aged / Migration / Original Paper / Path analysis / Psychiatry / Psychological factors / Psychological well being / Refugees / Refugees - psychology / Refugees - statistics & numerical data / Social aspects / Social groups / Social Identification / Social identity / Surveys / Surveys and Questionnaires / Syria - ethnology / Turkey - epidemiology / Well being / Young Adult