Refugees In Turkey Research Articles

Unsettled Ground, Unsettled Lives: The Ontological (In)securities of Syrian Refugees in the Shadow of Turkey’s 2023 Earthquake

Executive Summary This paper examines the ontological insecurities faced by Syrian refugees in Turkey following the 2023 earthquakes. Ontological security refers to the security of being, encompassing a sense of confidence in the apparent stability of the world (p. 746). This concept is intimately linked to managing existential uncertainties and maintaining routines to ensure a sense of security. Previous literature indicates that uncertain situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, exacerbate ontological insecurities. Additionally, these challenging situations often intensify anti-refugee attitudes. Historically, the impact of earthquakes on individuals has been considered predominantly within the realm of physical security, a perspective critiqued by critical security scholars. In alignment with this critique, our study adopts an ontological security perspective to analyze the situations of Syrian refugees in Turkey post-earthquake, addressing a gap in the literature which has previously focused on the physical security aspects of Syrian refugees. While numerous studies documented the relationship between security and migration, fewer explored the nexus between ontological (in)security and migration in the context of natural hazards. This study addresses this gap by investigating how the recent earthquake heightened existing insecurities among Syrian refugees. Drawing on ontological security studies, narrative analysis, and data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews, the study finds that the vulnerabilities of Syrian refugees were intensified by the earthquake. Their perceptions of home, society, and future shifted significantly, decreasing their ontological security and exacerbating existing inequalities. Our findings suggest that the February 2023 earthquake posed threats to refugees beyond physical inadequacies, exacerbating the ontological insecurities of Syrian refugees in Turkey. This compounded their displacement-related existential anxieties and undermined their sense of stability and belonging by altering their perceptions of home, trust in public authorities, and their future. The earthquake significantly disrupted Syrian refugees’ understanding of “home” by compounding their sense of loss and insecurity, thereby challenging their ability to establish a stable, predictable environment essential for ontological security in Turkey. Furthermore, the earthquake altered Syrian refugees’ trust in public authorities. The government’s handling of the post-earthquake process significantly impacted refugees’ access to essential resources, with discriminatory practices and mobility restrictions amplifying their vulnerability and precariousness. The state’s crisis management capabilities and emphasis on border security, aimed at ensuring control, inadvertently increased refugees’ precariousness regarding their identity and future, leading to a loss of trust in public authorities. In addition to these challenges, the earthquake also changed Syrian refugees’ perception of their future in Turkey, causing them to question their safety and sense of belonging in the host society. Existing challenges faced by refugees were exacerbated by the earthquake and compounded by societal exclusion, further shattering their sense of stability and predictability. Post-earthquake, language barriers and stereotypes intensified, leading to increased discrimination and a reliance on informal survival networks, further diminishing their trust in the future. This heightened ontological insecurity, compounded by economic and social barriers, deepened divisions and made the refugees feel perpetually out of place, undermining their trust in Turkish institutions and society. Our suggestions and policy recommendations underscore the need for comprehensive policies that address both the physical and psychological dimensions of refugee well-being with reference to concrete policy designs in a post-disaster process. • To build trust in the post-disaster process for refugees, the government should ensure that central and local authorities distribute survival resources equally and transparently. • Clear communication channels must be implemented to keep affected communities informed about aid processes. • To address societal exclusion and improve refugees’ future outlook, the government should offer language training and translation services to help refugees navigate post-disaster process. • Providing critical information in multiple languages will ensure all community members are informed and can access aid. • Fostering community integration initiatives and supporting NGOs working specifically with refugees will promote interaction between refugees and host communities, building social cohesion. • Recognizing the importance of informal networks and incorporating them into formal aid structures, as well as supporting community-based organizations (particularly NGOs) that provide aid and support to refugees, is also essential.

Earthquake hazard and risk profiling for Syrian refugees at country, city, and neighbourhood levels based on their multi-scalar location choice patterns

Earthquake hazards and risks (EHR) for Syrian refugees in Turkey were scrutinised at country, city, and neighbourhood levels in reference to multi-scaled patterns of their location choice (LC). This comprehensive investigation employed thematic analysis to review scholarly studies about the earthquake-related vulnerability and LC of Syrian refugees together with relevant national and international resources subsequent to the February 2023 earthquakes. Findings revealed that multiple LC factors contributed to the refugees’ EHR profile. The absence of national population distribution and refugee resettlement policies, an ineffective and insufficiently inclusive regulatory and mitigation framework to cope with Turkey’s earthquake risks, refugee-related data deficiencies, Syrian refugee influx into earthquake-prone cities, and substandard housing conditions and weak building codes in Syrian settlements may have significantly increased EHR for Syrian refugees in Turkey. This was further compounded by competition for scarce resources, livelihood problems, anti-refugee sentiment, and displacement following the earthquakes.

Quality Of Life For Syrian Civil War Refugees In Turkey: A Comparison Between Refugees Living In-Side Camp To Out-Side Camp

In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the quality of life of refugees according to their residential areas who want to reach a better life by leaving their living areas due to various human and natural disasters. In addition, another reason that forms the basis for this purpose is the thought that the quality of life of refugees will affect the development of the country in which they will live in the future, together with their knowledge and skills. Internationally valid “quality of life scale” developed by World Health Organization was used in the research. The research was carried out in Pendik district of Istanbul and Yayladağı container city of Hatay. 313 people in the container city and 148 people in Istanbul were able to participate in the research due to some limitations. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 package program and AMOS 23 package program. In terms of overall quality of life, there was no significant difference between inside and outside the camps. However, there was a significant difference in environmental life quality and single-question quality of life between inside and outside the camps. The environmental quality of life in the camp was 2.98±0.61 and outside the camp, it was 3.13±0.56. In terms of perceived quality of life in a single question, he scored 2.89±0.73 in camps and 3.20±0.80 out of camps. It is recommended to review the policies related to in-camp life, since the average score of the quality of life obtained on a single question basis, the environmental quality of life score, and the average score on the basis of the questions in-camp are lower than the average score out-camp. Regarding this issue, it is recommended to abolish the life in the camps or to improve the conditions further. It is suggested that this proposal should be taken into account in future mass migrations.

Between Worlds: Ontological Security among Syrian Refugees in Germany and Turkey

Abstract Sometimes physical security may come at the cost of ontological security for refugees. They may struggle to develop stable narratives of identity and fail to situate themselves within their new social environments. States often prioritize addressing refugees’ physical security needs to facilitate their integration, but largely overlook the importance of identity security. This study argues that ontological security is crucial to integration processes, and refugees reestablish it by engaging in various forms of identity backlash, lowering their interest in the politics of the host country, and heightening their desire to return home. In other words, identity backlash, political disinterest, and an intensified desire to return home function as ontological security-seeking mechanisms and anxiety responses. The study contributes to ontological security theory (OST) by introducing a novel and nuanced framework that defines a set of indicators for the emotional and narrative-oriented aspects of ontological security among refugees. It takes a micro-level approach examining ontological security at the individual level for Syrian refugees in Turkey and Germany. The specific findings of this study are threefold. First, I find a significantly lower level of narrative-oriented security among Syrian refugees in Turkey than in Germany. Second, the results indicate that narrative-oriented ontological security among Syrian refugees is strongly associated with identity backlash, low political interest, and a willingness to return to the home country. Third, the results show that physical security and ontological security are not always correlated. Overall, this study demonstrates how OST can provide insights into the complex interplay between perceptions of security, identity backlash, political integration, and willingness to return among refugee communities.

Intergenerational Power Shift and the Rise of Nonarranged Marriages Among Refugees

The experiences of war and refugee status can alter intrafamily dynamics, with implications for family formation, including marriage. We use the nationally representative Syrian Migrant Sample of the 2018 Turkey Demographic Health Survey (TDHS-S) to conduct a duration analysis of marriage outcomes among Syrian refugees in Turkey, tracking women throughout their residence in prewar Syria (before the conflict began in 2011), postwar Syria (after the conflict began but before arrival in Turkey), and Turkey. We find that early marriage was more prominent among refugees who were unmarried at the time of migration than among those married before migration; the mean marriage age dropped from 19.6 in prewar Syria to 19.1 in postwar Syria and 18.1 in Turkey. Using the TDHS-S and prewar Syrian surveys, we show that this finding aligns with the observed declines in household income and young women's opportunity cost of marriage. Our duration analysis also reveals a notable shift from traditional arranged marriages to more modern marriage forms among refugees in Turkey. An intergenerational power shift might drive the shift toward nonarranged marriages. After arrival in Turkey, wealth and employment of parents decline among refugees. In contrast, Syrian youth in Turkey have higher age-adjusted employment rates than in prewar Syria. Moreover, nonarranged marriages increase more among demographic groups with stronger intergenerational power shifts than among groups with weaker shifts.

The Challenge of Evaluating the Impact of NGOs on the Human Capital and Life Satisfaction of Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Abstract The number of projects designed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to meet refugees’ needs in Turkey has steadily increased since the arrival of Syrian refugees. In existing studies, the projects of NGOs working with Syrian refugees have not been evaluated from a lens of human capital and life satisfaction. Given the crucial role of NGOs in implementing social policies within host countries, it becomes imperative to conduct thorough analyses of the effects of their projects on the target groups. The objective of this study is to evaluate the significance of human capital and life satisfaction within NGO projects, as perceived by NGO employees. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with national and international NGO representatives in Istanbul to probe the impact of the projects on Syrian refugees. Based on the findings, despite the considerable number of projects carried out with Syrian refugees, the absence of a dedicated methodology to measure changes in participants’ human capital and life satisfaction poses significant challenges in evaluating project outcomes. In this research, I propose a five-step method for assessing the impacts of NGO-applied projects. This method acknowledges existing limitations and promotes the improvement of the evaluation process.

The Socio-Economic Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Building upon empirical research, this study examines the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Syrian refugees in Turkey by analyzing its implications on employment, livelihood opportunities, and social cohesion. More specifically, it focuses on the experiences of Syrian refugees to examine the ways in which they exert their agency to cope with the structural constraints when faced with ‘multiple crises’ in host countries, intersecting with the dynamics of a ‘normalized refugee crisis’. Our findings from fieldwork conducted in the top six refugee-hosting cities reveal that loss of jobs, limited access to decent work, increased dependency on external financial assistance, and social exclusion have been some of the most acute effects of the pandemic on refugees. Meanwhile, the perceived effects that refugees have on the host community’s welfare trigger problems that impede social cohesion. All in all, the study intends to highlight the far-reaching effects of the pandemic beyond its direct health implications by addressing the structural vulnerability of refugees and the importance of providing an enabling environment for socio-economic self-reliance.

Recognising Palestinian Refugees: Applicability of Article 1D of the 1951 Refugee Convention in Turkey

Abstract The special international regime for Palestinian refugees established by Article 1D of the 1951 Refugee Convention has yet to receive sufficient attention in Turkish asylum literature. Although Turkish law has incorporated Article 1D, neither scholars nor practitioners have pushed for its implementation. This research contends that Palestinians should be recognised as refugees in Turkey. Despite Turkey only granting refugee status to individuals from Europe due to the Convention’s geographical limitation, this article argues that an exception should be made for Palestinians. To this end, this article addresses how Article 1D of the 1951 Refugee Convention applies in Turkey by focusing on the interplay between the Convention and Turkish laws and regulations, as well as considering recent case law in other jurisdictions, particularly in Europe. By doing so, it aims to demonstrate that it is possible, though challenging, to improve the legal status of Palestinians in Turkey, mainly through strategic litigation.

GEOPOLITICAL CHALLENGES OF POST-ELECTION TURKEY: THE ISSUE OF REFUGEES FROM SYRIA

Due to its geostrategic position, Turkey has taken in a large number of Syrian refugees since 2011. As a result, the country currently has the largest number of refugees in the world, which has had significant repercussions for domestic and foreign policies, as well as the socio- economic situation. Turkey's 2023 election campaign focused on the Syrian refugee crisis, with Erdogan and the opposition presenting their approaches to solving the problem. The outcome of the elections had a far-reaching impact on millions of Syrian refugees, drawing enormous attention from both the Turkish public and the international community as a whole. This media- based qualitative study examines the implications of Turkey's policy on Syrian refugees, particularly in the context of the May 2023 elections. The study analyzes the current status of refugees in Turkey and the attitude of the Syrian government towards them. It examines the changing positions of Turkey's new government and provides a comprehensive understanding of the region's complex political dynamics and current challenges. Erdogan's re-election appears to have ended his willingness to negotiate with Damascus, suggesting he remains skeptical that Damascus will be able to solve its key problems, particularly its ability to stem PKK attacks from northeastern Syria if Turkey withdraws its troops. However, as the 2024 municipal elections approach, it is clear that Erdogan's Syria policy will once again be in the spotlight. The stakes will be high for all political actors, and the outcome of the election could have a major impact on the future direction of Turkish foreign policy. The study concludes that one of the key factors influencing Turkey's anti-refugee attitude is the host society's concern about the current impact of refugees on the country's economic, social, and cultural structure. The results of this study also show that, in addition to internal factors, other factors can strongly influence the future direction of Turkish policy toward Syrian refugees. In particular, the inadequate solution to the refugee problem at the global level, the unstable influence of the EU, but also other international aspects, including the interests of Russia, are emphasized.

Opinions of Education Faculty Students About Refugees in Turkey

Migration has been a constant in human history, presenting various economic, social, and cultural challenges. The integration of immigrants into society, particularly in terms of language and education, plays a crucial role in fostering social harmony. While Turkey has made progress in its integration policies, challenges persist, including socio-cultural and economic disparities among refugees. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of education faculty students on the refugee situation in Turkey, revealing insights into foreign policy, sustainability, territorial integrity, and safety concerns. The study was conducted using the qualitative research design of a case study method. 55 teacher candidates participated voluntarily, and their views on refugees living in Turkey were obtained through focus group interviews. Participants emphasized the need for stable foreign policies and highlighted language education as essential for successful integration. They expressed apprehensions about the potential security risks associated with refugees and advocated for greater societal awareness and proactive measures. Ultimately, addressing the refugee issue requires both policy adjustments and heightened societal sensitivity.

How refugees respond to hostile political discourse: no exit, but less voice

ABSTRACT How does the political discourse about refugees influence their attitudes in the host country? Relying on an online survey and experiment conducted with Syrian refugees in Turkey and Germany, this study explores the relationship between political discourse and refugees’ two potential attitudinal responses: political integration and return. Our observational analysis demonstrates that refugees’ perception of the political discourses about them is the variable most consistently associated with attitudes in these domains. Our experimental results reveal that hostile political discourse, compared to a welcoming political discourse, undermines refugees’ political integration, weakening both their political interest and willingness to participate in host country politics. However, our experimental findings suggest that political discourse does not significantly impact refugees’ intentions to return. Overall, our results demonstrate that refugees’ perceptions of political discourse are an important determinant of their attitudes toward host country politics, and more research is warranted on the topic.

Exploring the educational frontier: teachers’ perceptions of refugees in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aims to identify teachers’ perceptions of the concepts of ‘refugee or refugee people’ through a metaphorical study. The study uses descriptive research employing metaphors to determine teachers’ perceptions of these concepts. Study participants were 320 teachers who worked in different parts of Turkey during the 2023–2024 academic year. The results showed that most teachers feel sorry for refugees, while many hold angry feelings towards refugee people. Positive perceptions were rare. Based on teachers’ developed metaphors towards people who are refugees, these four categories emerged: anger, pity, diversity, and definition.

Post-traumatic stress disorder among long-term resettled Syrian refugees in Turkey: a comprehensive analysis of pre- and post-migratory factors.

After the war in Syria, many people were forcibly displaced, and many others migrated to foreign countries. Many Syrians have been exposed to traumatic negative lifeexperiences during this process. In this context, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of pre- and post-migration traumatic experiences and living difficulties on the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Syrian refugees who have been residing in Turkey for more than five years. The sample size of this cross-sectional study consisted of 200 Syrian refugees. Research data were collected using a self-report questionnaire. Refugees' depression and anxiety levels were assessed with The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed with the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (PCL-5). Logistic regression models were created to assess the effects of pre- and post-migration traumas, adverse events, and other sociodemographic variables, including age and gender, on PTSD. The study unveiled a high prevalence of PTSD (55.5%), depression (33.5%), and anxiety(4.5%) among participants. Notably, male refugees and those exposed to armed conflict exhibited a significantly higher frequency of PTSD. In contrast, depression was more prevalent among female participants. Pre-migration traumatic experiences, especially near-death situations, were identified as significant predictors of PTSD. Interestingly, while pre-migration traumatic experiences were higher, post-migration living difficulties also emerged as a concern, with factorslike "inability to return home in emergencies" and "worries about losing ethnic identity" beinghighlighted. Path analysis further revealed that pre-migration traumatic experiences indirectly contributed to PTSD by exacerbating post-migration living difficulties. Syrian refugees in Turkey, even after long-term residence, exhibit high rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. While pre-migration traumas play a pivotal role, post-migration challenges further compound their mental health issues. These findings underscore the need for holistic, long-term mental health interventions that address both past traumas and current living difficulties.

The Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support in the Relationship between the Impact of Events and Post-Traumatic Growth among Syrian Refugees

The internal disturbances that have occurred in Syria since 2011 have led to the displacement of many Syrians and their exposure to stressful life events. In this context, this study aimed to examine the amplifying dimension of suffering experienced by Syrian refugees in terms of various variables. Within this scope, the moderating role of perceived social support on the impact of events on post-traumatic growth among Syrian refugees was investigated. This descriptive study, designed according to the relational survey model, was conducted on 448 Syrian refugees in Turkey, who were included using a random sampling method. The data collection tools in this study included the Impact of Events Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Post-traumatic Growth Scale. According to the analysis of the results, it was found that in Syrian refugees, the impact of events on post-traumatic growth is significantly moderated by family support, support from friends, and support from a significant other. Additionally, it was observed that the event impact variable has a positive and significant effect on the post-traumatic growth among Syrian refugees.

How safe is the zone, and how voluntarily are the returnees? Turkey’s project for a ‘safe and dignified’ voluntary repatriation of Syrian refugees and the potential implementation of R2P on behalf of returnees

ABSTRACT The millions of refugees in Turkey are left in political limbo. Anti-refugee sentiment in society has also become an issue. However, in contradiction to the earlier Muslim solidarity rhetoric of ‘Muhajir and Ansar’, the Turkish government has been implementing its repatriation project that requires a ‘safe and dignified’ voluntary return of a million Syrian refugees to Turkey's safe zone in Northeast Syria. The article argues that the country's current political, economic and social conjuncture overshadows the voluntary character of the government's repatriation project and claims that Turkey's voluntary repatriation project does not meet the requirements of the international refugee protection regime. Building on the policy-oriented approach to international law, the article examines the potential implementation of the preventive dimension of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) on behalf of Syrian ‘returnees’. The article concludes that the ‘two-phase’ responsibility strategy that imposes responsibilities on the host country and the international community, which would be implemented simultaneously in Turkey's repatriation project, can protect returnees from possible danger in Syria. However, it can also set a precedent for future cases by filling a gap in International Refugee Law that does not address voluntary repatriation.

Electoral dynamics, new nationalisms, and party positions on Syrian refugees in Turkey

ABSTRACT When and under what conditions do ideologically similar nationalist parties adopt different positions and discourses about refugees and immigrants? We address this question by examining nationalist parties’ approaches toward Syrian refugees in Turkey. Documenting these differences based on an original Twitter dataset and party manifestos, we argue that electoral dynamics under the new presidential system have shaped nationalist parties’ discourses about refugees in the country. In particular, we explore how pre-electoral alliances and a strategic opening in the political space have motivated nationalist parties to amplify, ambiguate, or silence their otherwise conservative and nativist refugee discourses. Additionally, we maintain that urbanization has influenced the discursive strategies of nationalist party elites toward immigrants and refugees, giving rise to contradictory forms of nationalism in urban areas, including both far-right and liberal nationalisms. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the complex interactions between refugee politics, electoral dynamics, nationalism, and urbanization in Turkey.

Comparison of refugee patients with cystic fibrosis and their counterpart children from Turkey during the war

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the population of Arab refugees in Turkey has rapidly increased. While cystic fibrosis (CF) is believed to be rare among Arabs, recent studies suggest it is underdiagnosed. This study aims to present the demographic, clinical, and genetic characteristics of CF patients among Arab refugees in Turkey. Additionally, a comparison is made between the findings in the National CF Registry 2021 in Turkey (NCFRT) and the refugee CF patient group. The study included refugee patients between the ages of 0 and 18 years who were diagnosed with CF and received ongoing care at pediatric pulmonology centers from March 2011 to March 2021. The study examined demographic information, age at diagnosis, age of diagnosis of patients through CF newborn screening (NBS), presenting symptoms, CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutation test results, sputum culture results, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) z score. Their results were compared with the NCFRT results. The study included 14 pediatric pulmonology centers and 87 patients, consisting of 46 (52.9%) boys and 41 (47.1%) girls. All of the patients were Arab refugees, with 80 (92%) being Syrian. All the patients were diagnosed in Turkey. The median age at diagnosis of patients was 22.33 (interquartile range, 1–258) months. The median age of diagnosis of patients through NBS was 4.2 (interquartile range, 1–12) months. The median age of older patients, who were unable to be included in the NBS program, was 32.3 (interquartile range, 3–258) months. Parental consanguinity was observed in 52 (59.7%) patients. The mutation that was most frequently found was F508del, which accounted for 22.2% of the cases. It was present in 20 patients, constituting 32 out of the total 144 alleles. There was a large number of genetic variations. CFTR genotyping could not be conducted for 12 patients. These patients had high sweat tests, and their genetic mutations could not be determined due to a lack of data. Compared to NCFRT, refugee patients were diagnosed later, and long-term follow-up of refugee CF patients had significantly worse nutritional status and pseudomonas colonization. Conclusion: Although refugee CF patients have equal access to NBS programs and CF medications as well as Turkish patients, the median age at diagnosis of patients, the median age of diagnosis of patients through NBS, their nutritional status, and Pseudomonas colonization were significantly worse than Turkish patients, which may be related to the difficulties of living in another country and poor living conditions. The high genetic heterogeneity and rare mutations detected in the refugee patient group compared to Turkish patients. Well-programmed NBS programs, thorough genetic studies, and the enhancement of living conditions for refugee patients in the countries they relocate to can have several advantages such as early detection and improved prognosis.What is Known:• Children who have chronic diseases are the group that is most affected by wars.• The outcome gets better with early diagnosis and treatment in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).What is New:• Through the implementation of a newborn screening program, which has never been done in Syria previously, refugee patients, the majority of whom are Syrians were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis within a duration of 4 months.• Despite equal access to the newborn screening program and CF medications for both Turkish patients and refugee patients, the challenges of living in a foreign country have an impact on refugees.

A comprehensive evaluation of pregnancy and newborn outcomes in Syrian refugees in Turkey.

The research was conducted to evaluate the birth and newborn outcomes of Syrian immigrant women according to maternal age groups and Vitamin D use. It was conducted retrospectively using the birth records of 2,866 Syrian migrant women, who had given birth at a tertiary center between January 2016 and May 2020. Demographic features, obstetric and neonatal outcomes were analyzed according to age groups and Vitamin D use. The mean age of the patients included in the study was 26.22 ± 5.90, the mean gestational age at birth was 38.06 ± 2.1 weeks, and the mean newborn birth weight was 3.151g. The mean hemoglobin value of the patients was 11.55 ± 1.54. While most of the patients were taking iron supplements (80.59%), Vitamin D (Vit D) supplement intake was 38.31%. The mean number of antenatal follow-ups was 3.40 ± 1.65. While the most common delivery method was normal vaginal delivery (61.93%), cesarean section rates were found to be 38.07%. The need for blood transfusion was significantly lower in the group that had received Vitamin D than that in the group that had not received it (2.00% vs. 8.94% p < 0.001). The rate of preterm birth was found to be 5.74% in the group that had received Vitamin D and 9.28% in the group that had not received it, which was significantly higher (p < 0.001). We have seen that maternal and fetal outcomes can be improved with hospital follow-up and adequate vitamin supplements in refugee pregnant women.

Examining the Status of Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Examining the Status of Syrian Refugees in Turkey

‘Welcoming’ Guests: The Role of Ideational and Contextual Factors in Public Perceptions About Refugees and Attitudes about Their Integration

In this study, we aim to explore the ideational and contextual sources of perceptions about refugees. Contrary to many studies focusing on the interaction with and integration of refugees in developed countries, we examine the effect of social identity and refugee exposure on the perception of refugees in Turkey, which pose a substantive case with a background of ethnic conflict and scarce resources. We contend that social identities provide individuals with cues; however, we argue that identity type and its salience are key to understanding in-group vs. out-group formation processes, hence the perceptions about refugees. Moreover, we argue that socioeconomic status affects an individual’s support for refugee integration, as it challenges the existing status quo of access to scarce resources. Our findings challenge the conventional wisdom in migration studies by employing an original face-to-face survey among over 1,100 respondents in three cities (Istanbul, Diyarbakir, and Gaziantep) in Turkey. We find that those prioritizing national vs. religious identities reveal different levels of perceived threat. Additionally, we show that those belonging to lower-income socioeconomic groups are less supportive of refugee integration when the presence of refugees sets the ground for competition for economic and social resources where they reside.