Social Support and Resilience among Syrian Refugees: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

PAK Ş., YURTBAKAN T., Acarturk C.

Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, vol.32, no.3, pp.382-398, 2023 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/10926771.2022.2061882
  • Journal Name: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Violence & Abuse Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.382-398
  • Keywords: Syrian refugees, social support, self-efficacy, resilience
  • Istanbul Medipol University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Refugees are exposed to potentially traumatic events before, during, and after the forced displacement. Related to these events, they are at risk of developing mental health problems. From a public-health perspective, it is important to investigate factors fostering resilience among refugee population. This study aimed to explore the mediation role of self-efficacy between social support and resilience among Syrian refugees living in Istanbul, Turkey. A cross-sectional survey of 339 Syrian refugees aged 18 and older was conducted between September 2018 and March 2019 in Istanbul. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used to measure resilience, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) assessed social support, and self-efficacy was measured by the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). The simple mediation model analysis showed the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the social support and resilience relationship. Among the demographic factors, males and individuals with higher education levels reported increased resilience. Findings illuminated the importance of self-efficacy in promoting resilience among refugee population. Implications were discussed in a culturally appropriate way to enhance self-efficacy among Syrian refugees.