Refugees In Turkey Research Articles

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.

Informal Employment Areas for Syrian Refugees in Turkey: A Fuzzy TOPSIS Analysis

Informal employment is seen as an important problem in developing countries. Although unregistered employment contributes to the country's economy in terms of production, it can negatively affect macroeconomic indicators such as tax loss and unemployment. Unregistered employment can be made up of nationals of the countries themselves, as well as foreign workers. The aim of this study is to reveal in which sectors Syrian refugees are preferred in unregistered employment in Turkey. Fuzzy TOPSIS was used as a method in the study. Fuzzy TOPSIS gives a ranking according to alternatives and criteria. Analysis results show that Syrian refugees are preferred in agriculture, construction and textile sectors, respectively, in unregistered employment in Turkey. With these results, it is suggested that Turkey's go-to legal regulations in immigration policies and unregistered employment and those asylum seekers should be evaluated at the legal level regarding the country's economy.

Exploring preservice teachers’ social domination orientation and prejudice toward Syrian refugees: the mediation of empathy

AbstractWith the global increase in refugees, understanding and improving the educational experiences of refugees has received more attention in academic research. This study aims to investigate the perspective of preservice teachers (PSTs) towards Syrian refugees, who are one of the largest groups of refugees in Turkey. The study explores the relationship between PSTs’ empathy, their social dominance orientation (SDO), and prejudice against Syrian refugees. The aim is to understand how PSTs’ perspectives on refugees can help prevent discrimination in education and develop targeted interventions and educational strategies. The study analyzed data from 726 PSTs using structural equation modelling. The findings show that there is a positive correlation between SDO and prejudice, and empathy partially mediates this relationship. Moreover, socioeconomic status and ethnicity significantly predict prejudice against refugees. The results are discussed in relation to the understanding of the bases and relations of prejudice, SDO, and empathy. The study suggests some practical implications for those working with PSTs and policymakers.

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.

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.

‘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.

Can demographic targeting alter short-term fertility decisions? The effects of humanitarian assistance on the fertility behaviour of Syrian refugees in Turkey

Can demographic targeting alter short-term fertility decisions? The effects of humanitarian assistance on the fertility behaviour of Syrian refugees in Turkey

Example of Syrian Refugees in the Scope of Turkey's Migration Policy and Management

The phenomenon of migration is a concept that is often encountered today. The phenomenon of migration has a critical importance especially for many regions and countries that have faced with immigrants and migration flows in various periods. Nowadays, many countries continue to struggle with regular and irregular migration, and many countries host refugees from different regions or countries. At this point, Turkey has been seen as a bridge between the West and the East and has been accepted as a migration country or migration route for refugees. In this context, Turkey draws attention as a country that has been exposed to migration flows from various regions and geographies from the past to the present. Furthermore, especially since 2011, the increase in Syrian refugees in Turkey after the internal conflict and war in Syria and refugees who left their country and migrated to Turkey in recent years, brought along various problems in Turkey. These increasing refugees and refugee flows have required Turkey to make various policies and regulations. This article will focus on the Syrian refugees problem in Turkey and analyze Turkey's migration policies and migration management regarding refugees.

ULUSAL KİMLİK İNŞALARI VE ÖZCÜLÜĞÜN SIĞINMACI KARŞITI TUTUMLARA DAİR SONUÇLARI

The current study investigates the relationships between essentialism, constructions of national identity, and responses toward Syrian refugees in Turkey. We draw upon the concept of essentialism, which refers to tendencies to view socially constructed categories such as race and gender as fixed, natural, strictly bounded, and informative about people’s characteristics. We extend this concept to national essentialism, which we define as beliefs that the nation is a fixed entity with clear and strict boundaries that defines the qualities of its members. We argue that such an essentialist way of thinking will predict tendencies to define a particular national identity such as Turkishness in a more exclusionary way, by emphasizing common ancestral and cultural roots, rather than by emphasizing civic bonds such as citizenship. Such an ethno-cultural construction of the national identity, in turn, is likely to feed into tendencies to exclude ethnically and culturally diverse immigrant populations within the society. We have collected data from a sample of 500 participants to test our proposed mediation model using structural equation modelling. Our analyses have shown that national essentialism predicts endorsement of an ethno-cultural construction of the Turkish national identity, which, in turn, predicts greater perceived threat posed by refugees, and greater support for anti-refugee policies. Endorsement of a civic construction of national identity does not play a mediating role in the model. Our study connects the literatures on essentialism and constructions of national identity to shed light on the psychological roots of public responses toward newcomers to societies such as refugees. We discuss the theoretical and applied implications of our findings.

Evaluation of Cultural Competence Levels of Pediatric Nurses Working in Antalya

Introduction: The number of immigrants and refugees in Turkey is increasing due to various reasons. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that influence the cultural competence of pediatric nurses who often encounter families and children from different cultural backgrounds in multicultural societies. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cultural competencies of pediatric nurses and the associated factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at hospitals in Antalya and its districts, Turkey, in 2018. The study sample consisted of 236 pediatric nurses. Descriptive information form and Nurse Cultural Competence Scale-Turkish (NCCS-T) form were used for data collection. Results: The mean NCCS-T score of pediatric nurses was found 60.82±14.31. Nurses who received vocational training to provide health care services to individuals from different cultures, who were satisfied with working with immigrants or who were not experienced in providing care for such groups had higher competence levels (p

Migration aspirations in forced transnational families: the case of Syrians in Turkey

Abstract Increasingly high numbers of migrants around the globe have led migration scholars attempting to understand determinants of migration aspirations for many years. This study specifically looks at migration aspirations from two angles, (1) migration under conditions of a continuum of crises, in this case the (civil) war in Syria and precarious lives in Turkey, highlighting uncertainty and temporality entailed in crisis and (2) the role of family in migration aspirations. So far, scholarship primarily focuses on individuals in countries of origin and on voluntary migrants. Migration aspirations of forced migrants who have found refuge in another country are far less studied. Their situation, however, differs from voluntary migrants in distinct ways. Second, although the literature emphasizes the role of family for migration aspirations deep-level empirical inquiries are rare. Based on a survey among around 1,900 Syrian refugees in Turkey, this article addresses these gaps and explores the role family plays for migration aspirations among forced migrants. We take a close look by exploring how geographical family networks relate to migration aspirations and interact with other characteristics. We find that staying in Turkey seems to be the most likely option for participants at the time of the survey, but we also identify a substantial degree of uncertainty regarding migration aspirations. Furthermore, participants’ aspired places of living depend on the location of family members, above and beyond other characteristics. Moreover, (trans-)national family networks enhance or diminish effects of other determinants of migration aspirations such as perceived living conditions in Turkey.

Evaluation of breastfeeding and infant feeding attitudes among syrian refugees in Turkey: observations of Syrian healthcare workers

BackgroundThe influx of Syrian refugees into Turkey has highlighted the importance of supporting breastfeeding practices among this vulnerable population. We aimed to evaluate the breastfeeding and infant feeding attitudes of Syrian mothers based on the observations of Syrian healthcare workers (HCWs).MethodsAn online form including 31 questions was prepared in Turkish, Arabic, and English languages and distributed to HCWs, working in refugee health centers via e-mail, WhatsApp, or text message with the help of Ministry of Health in Turkey between January 2020 and March 2020. The questions were about HCWs’ characteristics (occupation, region of employment, duration of employment, participation in breastfeeding counseling course) and about HCWs’ observations of Syrian mothers’ breastfeeding and infant feeding practices.ResultsA total of 876 HCWs were included in the study; about 37.3% were physicians. Only 40.0% of HCWs reported that babies were predominantly fed with breast milk in the first three days after birth, 45.2% of HCWs indicated that mothers typically used sugary water as a prelacteal food, and 30.5% believed that breastfeeding was discontinued before 12 months. The main barriers to breastfeeding identified by HCWs included the lack of education, mental and physical health issues in the mother, food insecurity, low income, inadequate housing, lack of family planning, sociocultural environment, and limited access to quality health services. For complementary feeding, 28.0% of HCWs stated early introduction and 7.4% remarked delayed. HCWs believed grains, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products as top three foods for starting complementary food (59.5%, 47.8%, and 30.3% respectively). Healthcare challenges of Syrian pregnant and lactating mothers were reported to be associated primarily with “food, finance, and housing difficulties”, low maternal education, and cultural and environmental issues. HCWs recommended various solutions, such as supporting breastfeeding, offering nutrition and health support, promoting family planning, improving healthcare systems through legislation, and addressing cultural barriers.ConclusionsTo address breastfeeding issues among Syrian mothers, it is crucial to provide breastfeeding training to both HCWs and mothers. Expanding interventions that support breastfeeding-friendly practices, including community support and food aid for breastfeeding mothers, should also be considered to address the social determinants of breastfeeding.