Abstract
Primary Author and Speaker: Elizabeth Palmer
Since the crisis in Syria erupted in 2011 more than 6 million people have been displaced from their homes and taken refuge in the neighboring Middle Eastern countries (Karaman & Ricard, 2016). Many of these displaced people have unmet physical and mental health needs. The United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees has documented high levels of trauma, stress, anxiety, and depression among Syrian refugees who have resettled in other countries (Karaman & Ricard, 2016). In a World Health Organization study almost 70% of patients diagnosed with depression presented solely with somatic symptoms (Trivedi, 2004). This study aims to answer two questions by analyzing survey data provided by Syrian refugees who visited an annual, volunteer run, medical clinic in Mafraq, Jordan: 1.) Do Syrian refugees who participate in leisure activities perceive less pain than those who do not? 2.) Do Syrian refugees who participate in leisure activities rate themselves as less depressed than those who do not participate? Four screening documents (The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), The PEG Pain Screen, The Pain Assessment Tool, and an Interest Checklist) were translated into Arabic and were given during the intake process to Syrian refugees who presented themselves voluntarily at the free health clinic. Intake information including age, gender, and occupation prior to arrival in Jordan was also collected. 119 surveys were completed and analyzed: 74% of the sample was female and 26% was male, the mean pain score was 6.20 and 82% of the sample presented with pain at 4 or above on the PEG pain scale. The mean PHQ-9 score was 12.08 and 65% of the sample scored in the moderate to severe depression range. The mean number of current activities that the refugees participated in was 7.95 and the average number of prior activities was 12.85 with a net loss of 4.90 activities per person. Analysis of the data was conducted using ordinary least squares with PHQ-9 scores and pain as dependent variables. The current number of activities participated in was used as the independent variable; control variables included gender, age, and occupation. Analysis demonstrates that pain and depression are positively correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.34. Analysis also shows that a statistically significant relationship between depression scores on the PHQ-9 and the number of activities in which the Syrian refugees currently participate. The more activities a person participated in the less likely they were to be depressed. However, the relationship between pain and activity participation was not statistically significant. This study will add to the body of research on the psychosocial needs of Syrian refugees and shed light on the unique value of OT to assist in meeting these needs. Of the Syrian refugees surveyed, 65% exhibited moderate to severe depression and 82% presented with pain of 4/10 or above. The variable that indicated a person was less likely to be depressed was their activity level; the more activities a person a participated in the less likely they were to suffer from depression. The urgency for acute medical attention has left let little room for analysis of the refugees individual mental health needs. However, according to Wells, Steel, Abo-Hilal, Hassan and Lawsin (2015) there is an urgent need for humanitarian organizations to improve their rigor with research methods and ethical best practices to ensure that all perspectives of aid recipients are clearly represented. OTs are uniquely positioned to be able to do this utilizing evidence based practice and engagement in meaningful and therapeutic activities.
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