Depression, loneliness and factors influencing in Syrian refugee children

International Journal of Clinical PracticeVolume 75, Issue 5 e14039 ORIGINAL PAPER Depression, loneliness and factors influencing in Syrian refugee children Filiz Solmaz, Filiz Solmaz Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Harran University, Sanliurfa, TurkeySearch for more papers by this authorHülya Karataş, Corresponding Author Hülya Karataş hkaratas@harran.edu.tr orcid.org/0000-0001-6312-5028 Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey Correspondence Hülya Karataş, Harran University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pediatric Nursing, Sanliurfa, Turkey. Email: hkaratas@harran.edu.trSearch for more papers by this authorHasan Kandemir, Hasan Kandemir Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, TurkeySearch for more papers by this authorAbdullah Solmaz, Abdullah Solmaz Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, TurkeySearch for more papers by this author Filiz Solmaz, Filiz Solmaz Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Harran University, Sanliurfa, TurkeySearch for more papers by this authorHülya Karataş, Corresponding Author Hülya Karataş hkaratas@harran.edu.tr orcid.org/0000-0001-6312-5028 Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey Correspondence Hülya Karataş, Harran University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pediatric Nursing, Sanliurfa, Turkey. Email: hkaratas@harran.edu.trSearch for more papers by this authorHasan Kandemir, Hasan Kandemir Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, TurkeySearch for more papers by this authorAbdullah Solmaz, Abdullah Solmaz Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, TurkeySearch for more papers by this author First published: 22 January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14039Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Aims About 3.5 million Syrian refugees are living within the borders of Turkey. This study examined depression, loneliness and factors influencing refugee children who live outside the camps and attend school in Turkey. Methods This was a descriptive study in Sanliurfa, which has the second highest refugee population in Turkey. The sample consisted of 535 students attending 6-8 grades in five schools randomly selected of 18 schools located in the city centre where the Syrian children received their education. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Question Form, the Depression Scale for Children and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Data were analysed by IBM spss v23. The percentage, average and standard deviation were determined. A linear regression analysis was used to examine the independent variables affecting loneliness and depression scores, and the Backward method was used to include independent variables in the model. Significance level was considered as P < .05. Results The average age of the children was 13.22 ± 1.33 years and 57.9% female. The average UCLA Loneliness Scale score was 42.95 ± 7.77. About 42% of the children received ≥19 on the depression scale, and 65% of them received ≥40 on the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Independent variables affecting depression score and UCLA loneliness score were analysed by a linear regression analysis. The linear regression model established for depression and UCLA loneliness score was obtained as statistically significant (P < .001). Conclusion Depression and loneliness scores were relatively high in children, particularly those exposed to the devastating impacts of war. These results will make significant contributions to the planning of services to be provided for this group of children. Volume75, Issue5May 2021e14039 RelatedInformation