Social adaptation of Syrian refugees
Research Article
How to Cite
Khanin J. Social adaptation of Syrian refugees. Humanities of the South of Russia. 2025. Vol. 14. No. 3. P. 169-181. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18522/2227-8656.2025.3.14 (in Russ.).
Abstract
Objective of the study is to examine from a sociological perspective, the real process of integration of Syrian refugees into the socio-cultural space of the host society and the problems that arise in this regard.
Methodological basis of the study. A scientific approach to the study of the phenomenon of acculturation (i.e. native speakers of the language and culture of a migrating minority interact with the culture of the host community) was developed in the 30s of ХХ century by Redfield, Linton and Herskovitz. Its further development is linked with such scientists as: Arends-Toth and Van de Wijver. The structure of the acculturation process and its results were shown by Klenk, Kroon and Korzilius. The development of the Behaviorism methodology and especially Neobehaviorism allows us to look at the process of acculturation and integration of migrants not only and not so much from psychology and psychiatry, but more from the standpoint of sociology and political science.
Results of the study. Currently, most of the scientific literature is focused on the study of post-traumatic stress disorders and the factors that give rise to mental disorders. Individual experiences associated with the loss of relatives, friends, acquaintances during a military conflict, with the evidence of acts of violence, torture, bullying, with the fear, the existential state on the border between life and death, etc. are studied. The traumatic impact of these events, aggravated by displacement to a foreign cultural environment of another state, loss of social ties, imaginary or real discrimination, lack of housing, work, and means of subsistence, are indicated. At the same time, these studies have already drawn attention to the importance of such factors as age, marital status, gender, level and focus of education of patients for the integration of Syrian migrants into the culture of the host society. It translates the study of their social well-being into the sociological plane and requires not so much an individual approach and attitude towards individuals as patients, but a study of the social group of migrants as a whole in the specific social, political, and legal conditions of a particular country. A special part of social problems is the study of the state of migrant children in the host society. Children's psyche is most susceptible to traumatic stressful situations. Overcoming its consequences is a task not only and not so much of child psychologists, as of fundamental international programs and organizations that carry out targeted activities within each of the countries that accept refugee families on its territory.
Prospects of the study. This work may be useful for further study of problems and assistance in social adaptation of Syrian refugees into the socio-cultural space of the host society.
Keywords:
Syrian refugees, migrants, acculturation, post-traumatic stress disorder, social factors of integration
References
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Arends-Toth J., van de Vijver F. J. R. Multiculturalism and acculturation: Views of Dutch and Turkish Dutch. European Journal of Social Psychology, 2003; 33: 249-266.
Arenliu A., Bertelsen N., Saad R., Abdulaziz H., Weine S. M. War and displacement stressors and coping mechanisms of Syrian urban refugee families living in Istanbul. Journal of Family Psychology. 2020; 34(4): 392-401.
Berry J. W., Hou F. Acculturation, discrimination and wellbeing among second generation of immigrants in Canada. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 2017; 61: 29-39.
Brooks S. K., Greenberg N. Recurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder: systematic review of definitions, prevalence and predictors. BMC Psychiatry. 2024; 24(1). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38195482. (Accessed: 12.04.2025).
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Carlsson J., Sonne C. Mental health, pre-migratory trauma and post-migratory stressors among adult refugees. In: Morina N, Nickerson A, editor. Mental health of refugee and conflict-affected populations: theory, research and clinical practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. 2018; 15–35.
Celenk O., van de Vijver F. J. R. Assessment of acculturation: Issues and overview of measures. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture. 2011; 8(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1105. (Accessed 11.04.2025).
Chung M. C., Shakra M., AlQarni N. et al. Posttraumatic stress among Syrian refugees: trauma exposure characteristics, trauma centrality, and emotional suppression. Psychiatry. 2018; 81(1): 54-70.
Chung M. C., Shakra M. The association between trauma centrality and posttraumatic stress among Syrian refugees: the impact of cognitive distortions and trauma-coping self-efficacy. Interpersonal Violence. 2022; 37(3-4): 1852-1877.
Davis C., Wanninger A. Mental health and psychosocial support consideration for Syrian refugees in Turkey: sources of distress, coping mechanisms and access to support. International Medical Corps. 2017. Available at: https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Mental-Health-and-Psychosocial-Support-Considerations-for-Syrian-Refugees-in-Turkey.pdf. (Accessed 11.04.2025).
Derose K. P., Escarce J. J., Lurie N. Immigrants and health care: sources of vulnerability. Health Aff (Millwood). 2007; 26(5): 1258-1268.
Deslandes C., Anderson J. R. Religion and prejudice toward immigrants and refugees: A meta-analytic review. Internal Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 2019; 29 (2): 128-145.
Hamdani S. U., Ahmed Z., Sijbrandij M., Nazir H., Masood A., Akhtar P. et al. Problem «Management plus (PM+)» in the Management of Common Mental Disorders in a specialized mental healthcare facility in Pakistan: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. 2017; Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28603552. (Accessed 12.04.2025).
Hannafi C., Marouani M. A. Social integration of Syrian refugees and their intention to stay in Germany. Journal of Population Economics. 2022; 36(3): 1-27.
Hazer L., Gredebäck G. The effects of war, displacement, and trauma on child development. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 2023; 10. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376236187_The_effects_of_war_displacement_and_trauma_on_child_development. (Accessed 12.04.2025).
Lukichev P. N., Potseluev S. P., Konstantinov M. S. Language, Religion and Civic Identity. The European Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2019; LVIII: 514-528.
Murray L. K., Tol W., Jordans M., Zangana G. S., Amin A. M., Bolton P. et al. Dissemination and implementation of evidence based, mental health interventions in post conflict, low resource settings. Intervention (Amstelveen, Netherlands). 2014; 12: 94-112.
Nguyen T. P., Guajardo M. G. U., Sahle B. W. et al. Prevalence of common mental disorders in adult Syrian refugees resettled in high income Western countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2022; 22(1). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34986827. (Accessed 14.04.2025).
Nissen A., Hynek K. A., Scales D. et al. Chronic pain, mental health and functional impairment in adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry. 2022; 22(1). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36002823. (Accessed 12.04.2025).
Quosh C., Eloul L., Ajlani R. Mental health of refugees and displaced persons in Syria and surrounding countries: a systematic review. Intervention. 2013; 11(3): 276-294.
Redfield R., Linton R., Herskovits M. Memorandum for Acculturation. American Anthropologist. 1936; 38: 149-152.
Sirin S. R., Rogers-Sirin L. The educational and mental health needs of Syrian refugee children. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute, 2015; 32 p.
Te Lindert, Korzilius, Van de Vijver, Kroon, Arends-Toth. Acculturation Experiences and Psychological Well-Being of Syrian Refugees Attending Universities in Turkey: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. 2008; 30(3): 96-109.
Tinghög P., Malm A., Arwidson C. et al. Prevalence of mental ill health, traumas and postmigration stress among refugees from Syria resettled in Sweden after 2011: a population-based survey. BMJ Open. 2017; 7(12). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29289940. (Accessed 12.04.2025).
Walsh F. Strengthening family resilience. 3rd ed. New York: Guilford Publications, 2015; 400 p.
Yalim A. C., Kim I. Mental health and psychosocial needs of Syrian refugees: a literature review and future directions Advance. Social Work. 2018; 18 (3): 833-852.
Akar S., Erdogdu M. M. Syrian refugees in Turkey and integration problem ahead. Journal of International Migration and Integration. 2019; 20(3): 925-940.
Alpak G., Unal A., Bulbul F., Sagaltici E., Bez Y., Altindag A. et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder among Syrian refugees in Turkey: a cross-sectional study. International Jornal of Psychiatry Clinical Practice. 2015; 19(1): 45-50.
Arends-Toth J., van de Vijver F. J. R. Multiculturalism and acculturation: Views of Dutch and Turkish Dutch. European Journal of Social Psychology, 2003; 33: 249-266.
Arenliu A., Bertelsen N., Saad R., Abdulaziz H., Weine S. M. War and displacement stressors and coping mechanisms of Syrian urban refugee families living in Istanbul. Journal of Family Psychology. 2020; 34(4): 392-401.
Berry J. W., Hou F. Acculturation, discrimination and wellbeing among second generation of immigrants in Canada. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 2017; 61: 29-39.
Brooks S. K., Greenberg N. Recurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder: systematic review of definitions, prevalence and predictors. BMC Psychiatry. 2024; 24(1). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38195482. (Accessed: 12.04.2025).
Carlson M. M., McElroy S. E., Aten J. D., Davis E. B., Tongeren D. V., Hook J. N. et al. We welcome refugees Understanding the relationship between religious orientation, religious commitment, personality, and prejudicial attitudes toward Syrian refugees. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 2019; 29(2): 94-107.
Carlsson J., Sonne C. Mental health, pre-migratory trauma and post-migratory stressors among adult refugees. In: Morina N, Nickerson A, editor. Mental health of refugee and conflict-affected populations: theory, research and clinical practice. Cham: Springer International Publishing. 2018; 15–35.
Celenk O., van de Vijver F. J. R. Assessment of acculturation: Issues and overview of measures. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture. 2011; 8(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1105. (Accessed 11.04.2025).
Chung M. C., Shakra M., AlQarni N. et al. Posttraumatic stress among Syrian refugees: trauma exposure characteristics, trauma centrality, and emotional suppression. Psychiatry. 2018; 81(1): 54-70.
Chung M. C., Shakra M. The association between trauma centrality and posttraumatic stress among Syrian refugees: the impact of cognitive distortions and trauma-coping self-efficacy. Interpersonal Violence. 2022; 37(3-4): 1852-1877.
Davis C., Wanninger A. Mental health and psychosocial support consideration for Syrian refugees in Turkey: sources of distress, coping mechanisms and access to support. International Medical Corps. 2017. Available at: https://internationalmedicalcorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Mental-Health-and-Psychosocial-Support-Considerations-for-Syrian-Refugees-in-Turkey.pdf. (Accessed 11.04.2025).
Derose K. P., Escarce J. J., Lurie N. Immigrants and health care: sources of vulnerability. Health Aff (Millwood). 2007; 26(5): 1258-1268.
Deslandes C., Anderson J. R. Religion and prejudice toward immigrants and refugees: A meta-analytic review. Internal Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 2019; 29 (2): 128-145.
Hamdani S. U., Ahmed Z., Sijbrandij M., Nazir H., Masood A., Akhtar P. et al. Problem «Management plus (PM+)» in the Management of Common Mental Disorders in a specialized mental healthcare facility in Pakistan: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. 2017; Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28603552. (Accessed 12.04.2025).
Hannafi C., Marouani M. A. Social integration of Syrian refugees and their intention to stay in Germany. Journal of Population Economics. 2022; 36(3): 1-27.
Hazer L., Gredebäck G. The effects of war, displacement, and trauma on child development. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 2023; 10. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376236187_The_effects_of_war_displacement_and_trauma_on_child_development. (Accessed 12.04.2025).
Lukichev P. N., Potseluev S. P., Konstantinov M. S. Language, Religion and Civic Identity. The European Proceedings of Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2019; LVIII: 514-528.
Murray L. K., Tol W., Jordans M., Zangana G. S., Amin A. M., Bolton P. et al. Dissemination and implementation of evidence based, mental health interventions in post conflict, low resource settings. Intervention (Amstelveen, Netherlands). 2014; 12: 94-112.
Nguyen T. P., Guajardo M. G. U., Sahle B. W. et al. Prevalence of common mental disorders in adult Syrian refugees resettled in high income Western countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2022; 22(1). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34986827. (Accessed 14.04.2025).
Nissen A., Hynek K. A., Scales D. et al. Chronic pain, mental health and functional impairment in adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry. 2022; 22(1). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36002823. (Accessed 12.04.2025).
Quosh C., Eloul L., Ajlani R. Mental health of refugees and displaced persons in Syria and surrounding countries: a systematic review. Intervention. 2013; 11(3): 276-294.
Redfield R., Linton R., Herskovits M. Memorandum for Acculturation. American Anthropologist. 1936; 38: 149-152.
Sirin S. R., Rogers-Sirin L. The educational and mental health needs of Syrian refugee children. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute, 2015; 32 p.
Te Lindert, Korzilius, Van de Vijver, Kroon, Arends-Toth. Acculturation Experiences and Psychological Well-Being of Syrian Refugees Attending Universities in Turkey: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. 2008; 30(3): 96-109.
Tinghög P., Malm A., Arwidson C. et al. Prevalence of mental ill health, traumas and postmigration stress among refugees from Syria resettled in Sweden after 2011: a population-based survey. BMJ Open. 2017; 7(12). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29289940. (Accessed 12.04.2025).
Walsh F. Strengthening family resilience. 3rd ed. New York: Guilford Publications, 2015; 400 p.
Yalim A. C., Kim I. Mental health and psychosocial needs of Syrian refugees: a literature review and future directions Advance. Social Work. 2018; 18 (3): 833-852.
Article
Received: 14.04.2025
Accepted: 19.06.2025
Citation Formats
Other cite formats:
APA
Khanin, J. (2025). Social adaptation of Syrian refugees. Humanities of the South of Russia, 14(3), 169-181. https://doi.org/10.18522/2227-8656.2025.3.14
Section
SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN MODERN SOCIETY
