Social ecological determinants of the mental distress among Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Turkey: A transnational perspective

Refugees are frequently shown to have worse mental health outcomes than non-displaced populations. This fact is commonly attributed to traumatic pre-displacement experiences. While important, the focus on trauma risks overlooking the role socioeconomic living-conditions in different arrival and transit contexts can play in determining refugees’ mental distress. Building on the ecological model of refugee distress, we investigate how social ecological conditions relate to the mental distress of Syrians in Lebanon and Turkey. Both countries present important spaces of arrival and transit for millions of displaced Syrians, each with a specific historical, political, social and economic context. The empirical analysis is based on data gathered in early 2021 in face-to-face surveys among displaced Syrians in Lebanon (N = 1127) and Turkey (N = 1364). Individual mental distress is evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) score as the dependent variable in a multivariate regression analysis. Social ecological factors do not only differ in their extent of deprivation between Lebanon and Turkey. They also differ in their relationship with individual mental health outcomes. In Lebanon, limited access to the health care system and having family in the same city are major risk factors for elevated mental distress, whereas in Turkey, these are low education, poverty, unemployment as well as employment as day laborer. Discrimination and social isolation emerge as relevant predictors in both countries. Based on this analysis, we argue that a context-specific understanding of mental distress amidst the social ecology refugees face in countries of refuge and transit is necessary. This approach needs to be pursued to provide adequate support and alleviate refugees’ mental distress both, in the country of first refuge and after possible onward migration. In addition to clinical implications, the study particularly highlights the important role anti-discrimination and social inclusion policies could play in promoting refugee mental health. •Syrian refugees in Lebanon report higher psychological burdening than those in Turkey.•The two displacement contexts differ in the determination of mental health outcomes.•Social exclusion and discrimination emerge as important predictors in both countries.•Analysis calls for holistic action in both clinical practice and public policy.