High Rates of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems among Syrian Refugees Compared to Turkish Children

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence of psychopathologies and the sociodemographic characteristics influencing them among Syrian refugees who have applied to the child and adolescent psychiatry clinic, and to compare them to the cases found within the Turkish population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample comprising partly of Syrian refugees who applied to the child and adolescent psychiatry clinic and agreed to participate in the study. Additionally, child and adolescent psychiatric cases of Turkish origin were included. The sample size of the study consisted of 146 patients. The parents of all the participants filled out a personal data form and a parent Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) form for ages 4–18 years in Turkish or Arabic according to their native language. The psychiatric evaluation was performed through psychiatric interviews based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5) conducted by a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow for 60–90 minutes each. Results: The study revealed that emotional and conduct problems were significantly more prevalent among Syrian refugees when compared to the native population (p