The relation between Syrians’quality of life, depression and anxiety levels and economic conditions: a cross-sectional study at an adult refugee mental health clinic in Turkey

Özet

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between depression, anxiety symptoms, economic status and the quality of life of Syrians who applied to the adult refugee mental health outpatient clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. Methods:Syrians who applied to the refugee mental health outpatient clinic for the first time were included in the study. A sociodemographic data form, the Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) were administered to the participants. Results:This study found a negative, moderate and significant correlation between both the HSCL-25 depression subscale scores and WHOQOL-BREF scores (r=-0.56, p 0.05), while their education levels and WHOQOL-BREF scores were positively and weakly correlated (r=0.27, p<0.05). Discussion:This study found that refugees’ levels of psychological symptoms are closely related to their quality of life. Thus, it is so important to treat asylum seekers’ mental disorders to improve quality of their lives. The study also found that the Syrians’ depression and anxiety symptom levels were more highly correlated than their economic conditions.