Psychotherapeutic Interventions Used in Psychological Treatment Studies With Syrian Refugees
A Systematic Review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19521253 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Tuğba Yılmaz (0000-0001-9187-7665), Cansu Karakuş (0000-0001-8186-9397) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 177-189 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Trauma Violence & Abuse (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1524-8380 • E-ISSN: 1552-8324 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/15248380241306029 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 35 |
The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have led to a substantial influx of Syrian refugees, exposing them to severe traumatic experiences and contributing to a range of mental health issues. This systematic review examines psychotherapeutic interventions employed in psychological treatment studies with Syrian refugees, focusing on 22 articles identified across Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The review highlights the need for psychotherapeutic intervention for Syrian refugees due to the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, grief, and loss which results from an increased risk of various forms of violence and exploitation. Psychotherapeutic interventions in the reviewed studies were Problem Management Plus (PM+), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), eye movement, desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), narrative therapy, dance and movement therapy, art therapy, psychosocial interventions, and online psychotherapy. In the studies conducted with young and child refugees, various psychotherapeutic interventions such as cognitive-behavioral skills therapy, EMDR group therapy, art, dance and movement therapy, and early adolescence skills for emotions were applied. In studies conducted with adult refugees, it is noteworthy that studies frequently applied the PM+ intervention. It is seen that PM+ was applied especially in the camp environment at the beginning of the refugee process. In most of the studies, group format and face-to-face psychotherapeutic intervention were preferred. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored interventions that account for the cultural backgrounds and experiences of Syrian refugees. By addressing these barriers and implementing culturally sensitive approaches, mental health professionals can better support the psychological recovery and integration of Syrian refugees in host countries
The Relationship Between Post-Migration Stress and Psychological Disorders in Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Prevalence and Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress and Depression Symptoms Among Syrian Refugees in a Refugee Camp
Mental health problems of Syrian refugee children
Problem Management Plus (PM+)
The Consort statement
Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict
The Revised Consort Statement for Reporting Randomized Trials
Culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy for Syrian refugee women in Turkey
Problems after flight
The Syrian Refugee Crisis
Sex Differences on Quality of Life and Mental Health Outcomes When Using a Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Skill Building Intervention with Adolescent Syrian Refugees
The Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Self-Compassion
| Highly cited | No |
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