Meryam Schouler‐Ocak
Biographic Data
| ID | 5118893 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Meryam Schouler‐Ocak |
| GIVEN NAMES | Meryam |
| FAMILY NAME | Schouler‐Ocak |
| SIGNATURE | OCAK M S |
| AFFILIATIONS | St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1846-3500 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 21 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 27 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2008 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Adverse childhood experiences and mental health outcomes among women in sex work and social care
Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are well-established risk factors for mental disorders, yet their impact within vulnerable occupational groups remains insufficiently understood. Women engaged in sex work and social care are disproportionately exposed to violence and emotional stressors, potentially compounding the effects of early-life adversity. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study in Berlin, Germany, including 560 wome…
Ethical, clinical, and legal challenges of mental health care in prisons
BACKGROUND: Prison populations experience disproportionately high rates of mental disorders and suicidality, often receiving inadequate care in settings primarily designed for punishment rather than treatment. Prisons, increasingly serving as de facto psychiatric institutions, present distinct ethical, legal, and clinical challenges for mental health professionals. OBJECTIVES: This paper explores the ethical dilemmas in correctional mental health…
‘I Feel That There Is Someone Who Can Listen to Me’
Asylum seekers face significant mental health difficulties. An assessment of cultural and contextual factors is necessary for a thorough evaluation of their mental illness. The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) can be a useful tool for this purpose, though further research is needed in diverse clinical settings and with varied populations to evaluate it as a cross-cultural assessment tool. Therefore, this study aims to map out asylum seekers’ …
An explorative qualitative study of barriers to the use of health and mental health services among migrant female sex workers in Germany and needs for action
Background: Migrant female sex workers (MFSWs) can be exposed to various health risks due to their occupation, including mental and physical health, substance use, and experience of violence. However, they face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare services. The inadequate access to medical care for migrant female sex workers poses a challenge to the German healthcare system. Research aims: This qualitative study aimed to identify and anal…
Quality of life, mental health, and socio-demographic differences across sex work settings
Background: Existing research shows that quality of life (QoL), mental health, and working conditions vary widely across sex work settings. Street-based work, for example, involves different risks than, for example, online sex work. Little is known about what drives individuals into specific environments. This study examines whether work setting predicts working conditions, QoL, mental health, and reported socio-medical needs, and explores factor…
The impact of self-stigmatization on the mental health of female sex workers (FSWs)
Introduction Sex workers are exposed to high levels of mental health risk. Yet, the psychological effects of self-stigmatization in legalized sex work contexts remain underexplored. This study examines how different dimensions of self-stigma influence mental health outcomes among female sex workers (FSWs) in Germany, where sex work is legalized and regulated. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 397 FSWs recruited across diverse wor…
A quantitative study on female sex workers’ mental health in Germany
Introduction Sex workers provide sexual services in exchange for monetary compensation, encompassing a range of activities such as escorting, pornography and street-based or online sex work. Individuals doing sex work are frequently referred to as a vulnerable group when it comes to their mental health. Despite the legality of sex work in Germany, there are significant risk factors associated with negative impact on the mental health, such as sti…
Prevalence, risk and resilience factors of mental health conditions among female sex workers
Relationship between traumatic events, somatization, psychological distress, and quality of life in female refugees in Germany
Our findings suggest that future research and treatment of female refugees should focus on the role of somatization. Clinical assessments should be broadened with culturally sensitive tools to encompass both somatic and psychological dimensions of distress
Depression and anxiety in female refugees from East Africa and the Middle East displaced to Germany
At the end of 2022, 108.4 million people around the world were forcibly displaced, the highest number ever recorded. Of these, 50% were women. Despite this situation, little is known about the mental health of female refugees. The first aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among female refugees in Germany. The second aim was to examine which sociodemographic and migration-related variables have an imp…
Health promotion strategies toward improved healthcare access for migrants and refugees in Europe
MyHealth European project (2017–2020) was committed to elaborate on models to engage vulnerable migrants and refugees (VMR) in their health through community involvement. Low healthcare access and poor quality of healthcare services for VMR is a common reality in many European countries. The purpose of the present study, as part of MyHealth project, was the development of an agenda for actions and consequent recommendations to tackle the issue. A…
Investigating the Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Its Associated Factors Among Indonesian Adolescents
Unlocking asylum seekers’ voices
Prior research on the CFI in asylum seekers is limited, partly because of their high vulnerability and low access to care. The study protocol has been tailored in close collaboration with several stakeholders and validated after piloting. Ethical approval has already been obtained. Together with the stakeholders, the results will be translated into guidelines and training materials. Recommendations to policymakers will also be provided
Increase in presentations with new-onset psychiatric disorders in a psychiatric emergency department in Berlin, Germany during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic – a retrospective cross-sectiona…
COVID-19 infections and post-COVID-19 syndrome are unlikely to have played a substantial role in the increase of new-onset diseases in this study. Conclusion: Our findings underline the role of indirect factors in new-onset of psychiatric diseases during the pandemic and should be a caveat for future pandemic control policies
Training in cultural psychiatry
This special issue of Transcultural Psychiatry on training in cultural psychiatry discusses translating research into improvements in mental health care for refugees and migrants. This topic is timely because, in addition to a global increase in migration, the number of forcibly displaced people is growing rapidly due to war and conflicts. We know that migrants, particularly refugees, are at increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including psyc…
The Differential Impact of Lockdown Measures Upon Migrant and Female Psychiatric Patients – A Cross-Sectional Survey in a Psychiatric Hospital in Berlin, Germany
The COVID-19 pandemic could have major effects on already vulnerable individuals with psychiatric disorders. It is important to assess how different patient groups respond to stress related to the pandemic, and what additional factors influence it, including family-related stress, migration background, and sex. We conducted a survey in a sample of 294 psychiatric patients in a large outpatient clinic in Berlin, measuring level of distress in rela…
Housing Satisfaction of Psychiatric Patients in Different Forms of Housing—A Cross-Sectional Study in Berlin, Germany
The growing social problem of homelessness and precarious housing situations has negative effects on psychological outcomes and quality of life (QoL) for mentally ill people. Despite a large body of research on QoL among homeless mentally ill people, research on housing satisfaction as a specific QoL domain and important outcome variable for treatment interventions is scarce. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to investigate housing sat…
Bank Account Ownership and Access Among In-Patients in Psychiatric Care in Berlin, Germany—A Cross-Sectional Patient Survey
The lack of bank account ownership and access among this population of psychiatric patients is concerning. The interrelationship between factors of financial exclusion and mental health should be further explored in longitudinal studies. More attention is needed to support people with severe mental illness to be able to access resources associated with financial inclusion
Explanatory models of suicidality among women of Turkish descent in Germany
Women of Turkish descent in Germany show higher rates of suicidal behavior compared to their host populations and men of Turkish descent. This indicates a demand for a better understanding of suicidality in this group. Nine focus groups ( N = 61) were conducted to assess explanatory models including patterns of distress, perceived causes, course/consequences of and reactions towards a suicidal crisis, help-seeking behavior, and potential interven…
Mental health for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons
Part of the World Psychiatric Association action plan for the triennium 2014–2017
Cultural psychiatry and psychotherapy needs to be included as an integral part of educational curricula from undergraduate level through continuing professional development.The concepts of national
Background paper on the needs of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker patients around the globe
This background paper aims to better understand and classify the needs of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker patients worldwide, and provides background information on the subject
Perceived ethnic discrimination, acculturation, and psychological distress in women of Turkish origin in Germany
Social characteristics of psychological distress in disadvantaged areas of Berlin
PURPOSE: Living in disadvantaged urban areas is associated with poor mental health. The purpose of this study was to assess which social characteristics were associated with psychological distress within a disadvantaged, multi-ethnic neighbourhood of Berlin. METHODS: The study was conducted in an area of Berlin with the highest rates of unemployment and highest density of migrants. A total of 143 participants aged 18-57 years were included from a…
Surveying migrant populations – methodological considerations
Data available from the recruitment process for a population-based survey on psychological well-being in women of Turkish origin aged 18–75 years was subjected to post-hoc analysis to examine effects of different recruitment approaches and reasons for non-response. A random sample of 80,000 women was drawn from the Berlin population registry and 3884 women of Turkish origin identified by a name-based algorithm. The women were assigned randomly to…
Mental health for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons
Perceived ethnic discrimination, acculturation, and psychological distress in women of Turkish origin in Germany
Training in cultural psychiatry
This special issue of Transcultural Psychiatry on training in cultural psychiatry discusses translating research into improvements in mental health care for refugees and migrants. This topic is timely because, in addition to a global increase in migration, the number of forcibly displaced people is growing rapidly due to war and conflicts. We know that migrants, particularly refugees, are at increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including psyc…
Explanatory models of suicidality among women of Turkish descent in Germany
Women of Turkish descent in Germany show higher rates of suicidal behavior compared to their host populations and men of Turkish descent. This indicates a demand for a better understanding of suicidality in this group. Nine focus groups ( N = 61) were conducted to assess explanatory models including patterns of distress, perceived causes, course/consequences of and reactions towards a suicidal crisis, help-seeking behavior, and potential interven…
Background paper on the needs of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker patients around the globe
This background paper aims to better understand and classify the needs of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker patients worldwide, and provides background information on the subject
Surveying migrant populations – methodological considerations
Data available from the recruitment process for a population-based survey on psychological well-being in women of Turkish origin aged 18–75 years was subjected to post-hoc analysis to examine effects of different recruitment approaches and reasons for non-response. A random sample of 80,000 women was drawn from the Berlin population registry and 3884 women of Turkish origin identified by a name-based algorithm. The women were assigned randomly to…
Random Sampling for a Mental Health Survey in a Deprived Multi-Ethnic Area of Berlin
Cultural Factors in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Traumatised Migrant Patients from Turkey
The process of migration may be associated not only with great hope, but also with distressing experiences that can lead to trauma and posttraumatic stress disorders. Although some of the symptoms induced by trauma are common across cultures, the strategies used to deal with them are often culture-specific. In the following paper, we consider the unique aspects of trauma-focused psychotherapy in patients with a history of migration. We discuss a …
Cultural Factors in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Traumatised Migrant Patients from Turkey
The process of migration may be associated not only with great hope, but also with distressing experiences that can lead to trauma and posttraumatic stress disorders. Although some of the symptoms induced by trauma are common across cultures, the strategies used to deal with them are often culture-specific. In the following paper, we consider the unique aspects of trauma-focused psychotherapy in patients with a history of migration. We discuss a …
Surveying migrant populations – methodological considerations
Data available from the recruitment process for a population-based survey on psychological well-being in women of Turkish origin aged 18–75 years was subjected to post-hoc analysis to examine effects of different recruitment approaches and reasons for non-response. A random sample of 80,000 women was drawn from the Berlin population registry and 3884 women of Turkish origin identified by a name-based algorithm. The women were assigned randomly to…
Random Sampling for a Mental Health Survey in a Deprived Multi-Ethnic Area of Berlin
Social characteristics of psychological distress in disadvantaged areas of Berlin
PURPOSE: Living in disadvantaged urban areas is associated with poor mental health. The purpose of this study was to assess which social characteristics were associated with psychological distress within a disadvantaged, multi-ethnic neighbourhood of Berlin. METHODS: The study was conducted in an area of Berlin with the highest rates of unemployment and highest density of migrants. A total of 143 participants aged 18-57 years were included from a…
Perceived ethnic discrimination, acculturation, and psychological distress in women of Turkish origin in Germany
Part of the World Psychiatric Association action plan for the triennium 2014–2017
Cultural psychiatry and psychotherapy needs to be included as an integral part of educational curricula from undergraduate level through continuing professional development.The concepts of national
Background paper on the needs of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker patients around the globe
This background paper aims to better understand and classify the needs of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker patients worldwide, and provides background information on the subject
Mental health for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons
Explanatory models of suicidality among women of Turkish descent in Germany
Women of Turkish descent in Germany show higher rates of suicidal behavior compared to their host populations and men of Turkish descent. This indicates a demand for a better understanding of suicidality in this group. Nine focus groups ( N = 61) were conducted to assess explanatory models including patterns of distress, perceived causes, course/consequences of and reactions towards a suicidal crisis, help-seeking behavior, and potential interven…
Bank Account Ownership and Access Among In-Patients in Psychiatric Care in Berlin, Germany—A Cross-Sectional Patient Survey
The lack of bank account ownership and access among this population of psychiatric patients is concerning. The interrelationship between factors of financial exclusion and mental health should be further explored in longitudinal studies. More attention is needed to support people with severe mental illness to be able to access resources associated with financial inclusion
The Differential Impact of Lockdown Measures Upon Migrant and Female Psychiatric Patients – A Cross-Sectional Survey in a Psychiatric Hospital in Berlin, Germany
The COVID-19 pandemic could have major effects on already vulnerable individuals with psychiatric disorders. It is important to assess how different patient groups respond to stress related to the pandemic, and what additional factors influence it, including family-related stress, migration background, and sex. We conducted a survey in a sample of 294 psychiatric patients in a large outpatient clinic in Berlin, measuring level of distress in rela…
Housing Satisfaction of Psychiatric Patients in Different Forms of Housing—A Cross-Sectional Study in Berlin, Germany
The growing social problem of homelessness and precarious housing situations has negative effects on psychological outcomes and quality of life (QoL) for mentally ill people. Despite a large body of research on QoL among homeless mentally ill people, research on housing satisfaction as a specific QoL domain and important outcome variable for treatment interventions is scarce. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to investigate housing sat…
Training in cultural psychiatry
This special issue of Transcultural Psychiatry on training in cultural psychiatry discusses translating research into improvements in mental health care for refugees and migrants. This topic is timely because, in addition to a global increase in migration, the number of forcibly displaced people is growing rapidly due to war and conflicts. We know that migrants, particularly refugees, are at increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including psyc…
Health promotion strategies toward improved healthcare access for migrants and refugees in Europe
MyHealth European project (2017–2020) was committed to elaborate on models to engage vulnerable migrants and refugees (VMR) in their health through community involvement. Low healthcare access and poor quality of healthcare services for VMR is a common reality in many European countries. The purpose of the present study, as part of MyHealth project, was the development of an agenda for actions and consequent recommendations to tackle the issue. A…
Investigating the Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Its Associated Factors Among Indonesian Adolescents
Unlocking asylum seekers’ voices
Prior research on the CFI in asylum seekers is limited, partly because of their high vulnerability and low access to care. The study protocol has been tailored in close collaboration with several stakeholders and validated after piloting. Ethical approval has already been obtained. Together with the stakeholders, the results will be translated into guidelines and training materials. Recommendations to policymakers will also be provided
Increase in presentations with new-onset psychiatric disorders in a psychiatric emergency department in Berlin, Germany during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic – a retrospective cross-sectiona…
COVID-19 infections and post-COVID-19 syndrome are unlikely to have played a substantial role in the increase of new-onset diseases in this study. Conclusion: Our findings underline the role of indirect factors in new-onset of psychiatric diseases during the pandemic and should be a caveat for future pandemic control policies
Depression and anxiety in female refugees from East Africa and the Middle East displaced to Germany
At the end of 2022, 108.4 million people around the world were forcibly displaced, the highest number ever recorded. Of these, 50% were women. Despite this situation, little is known about the mental health of female refugees. The first aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among female refugees in Germany. The second aim was to examine which sociodemographic and migration-related variables have an imp…
An explorative qualitative study of barriers to the use of health and mental health services among migrant female sex workers in Germany and needs for action
Background: Migrant female sex workers (MFSWs) can be exposed to various health risks due to their occupation, including mental and physical health, substance use, and experience of violence. However, they face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare services. The inadequate access to medical care for migrant female sex workers poses a challenge to the German healthcare system. Research aims: This qualitative study aimed to identify and anal…
Quality of life, mental health, and socio-demographic differences across sex work settings
Background: Existing research shows that quality of life (QoL), mental health, and working conditions vary widely across sex work settings. Street-based work, for example, involves different risks than, for example, online sex work. Little is known about what drives individuals into specific environments. This study examines whether work setting predicts working conditions, QoL, mental health, and reported socio-medical needs, and explores factor…
The impact of self-stigmatization on the mental health of female sex workers (FSWs)
Introduction Sex workers are exposed to high levels of mental health risk. Yet, the psychological effects of self-stigmatization in legalized sex work contexts remain underexplored. This study examines how different dimensions of self-stigma influence mental health outcomes among female sex workers (FSWs) in Germany, where sex work is legalized and regulated. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 397 FSWs recruited across diverse wor…
A quantitative study on female sex workers’ mental health in Germany
Introduction Sex workers provide sexual services in exchange for monetary compensation, encompassing a range of activities such as escorting, pornography and street-based or online sex work. Individuals doing sex work are frequently referred to as a vulnerable group when it comes to their mental health. Despite the legality of sex work in Germany, there are significant risk factors associated with negative impact on the mental health, such as sti…
Prevalence, risk and resilience factors of mental health conditions among female sex workers
Relationship between traumatic events, somatization, psychological distress, and quality of life in female refugees in Germany
Our findings suggest that future research and treatment of female refugees should focus on the role of somatization. Clinical assessments should be broadened with culturally sensitive tools to encompass both somatic and psychological dimensions of distress
Adverse childhood experiences and mental health outcomes among women in sex work and social care
Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are well-established risk factors for mental disorders, yet their impact within vulnerable occupational groups remains insufficiently understood. Women engaged in sex work and social care are disproportionately exposed to violence and emotional stressors, potentially compounding the effects of early-life adversity. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study in Berlin, Germany, including 560 wome…
Medicine (18 works) · Mental health (15 works) · Migration, Health and Trauma (15 works) · Psychiatry (15 works) · Psychology (15 works) · Clinical Psychology (9 works) · Mental Health Treatment and Access (7 works) · Refugee (7 works) · Clinical Psychology (6 works) · Sociology (6 works)