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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 5/2019

01-10-2019 | Original Paper

Mental Health Status and Service Assessment for Adult Syrian Refugees Resettled in Metropolitan Atlanta: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Authors: Skander M’zah, Barbara Lopes Cardozo, Dabney P. Evans

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 5/2019

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Abstract

Because little is known about the mental health status of Syrian refugees in the United States, we conducted a survey among a convenience sample of those resettled in Atlanta between March 2011 and 2017. Though home visits, we delivered a questionnaire including standardized instruments (HSCL25 and PTSD-8) to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. We found high rates of anxiety (60%), depression (44%) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (84%) symptoms; however, only 20% of participants had seen a mental health professional. Reported reasons for not seeking professional help were lack of transportation and access to information. Findings of this survey indicate the high burden of mental health symptoms and the need for services to the study population. A longitudinal study with a larger sample size would improve the understanding of mental health needs and resilience factors of Syrian refugees resettled in the US.
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Metadata
Title
Mental Health Status and Service Assessment for Adult Syrian Refugees Resettled in Metropolitan Atlanta: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors
Skander M’zah
Barbara Lopes Cardozo
Dabney P. Evans
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0806-6

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