Türkiye’ Deki Suriyeli Ergenlerin Psikolojik Uyum ve Kültürleşme Sürecinin Değerlendirilmesi: Altındağ Örneği, Ankara

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological adjustment of Syrian adolescents living in the Altindag district of Ankara and the relationship between psychological adjustment and moderating factors of prior to acculturation and moderating factors during acculturation. In line with this purpose the relation between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety related disorders, emotional and behavioral difficulties and age, gender, perceived exclusion and discrimination, perceived social support, life quality, and other variables are handled. The research sample is determined by using purposive sampling method. There are 347 Syrian adolescents between the ages of 11-17 in 8 schools in the Altındag district of Ankara. The forms used in the research were in Arabic: Personal Information Form (prepared by the researcher), Arab Happiness Scale, Children’ s Impact of Event Scale-8, The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were obtained. According to the findings of the study: 62.5% of the participants had PTSD, 56.8% had anxiety-related disorder symptoms and 84.1% had low subjective well-being. Accordingly, the level of psychological adjustment of the participants is low. It was observed that 66.6% of the participants have relatives died and 65.2% of them have non-migrant relatives. The level of psychological adjustment of the participants varied according to gender, age group, perceived discrimination, perceived exclusion, face a language barrier, quality of life, social support and exposure to violence. Psychological adjustment indicators are related to each other. While PTSD, anxiety-related disorders and emotional and behavioural difficulty scores increase, subjective well-being decreases. It was observed that Syrian adolescents who migrated after the civil war in Syria showed a low psychological adjustment. Increasing the existing efforts of mental health services and social services and also supporting the guidance services for peer relations in the school environment will contribute to their psychological adjustment by reducing the stress of acculturation.