Post-Migration Stress and Mental Health Outcomes

A Comparative Study of Syrian Refugee Women in Houston and Jordan

Bibliographic Data

ID5937074
AuthorsFatin Atrooz (0000-0002-1358-7926, University of Houston), Chiara Acquati (0000-0002-6232-5834, University of Houston), Arunima Bhattacharjee (0009-0008-3101-6730, University of Houston), Omar F Khabour (0000-0002-3006-3104, Jordan University of Science and Technology), Sally Aljararwah, Sally Mohammad Aljararwah (Jordan University of Science and Technology), Samina Salim (0000-0001-7717-7099, University of Houston)
Year2025
Volume14
Issue2
Pages70
Publication date2025-01-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2076-0760 • E-ISSN: 2076-0760
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/socsci14020070
OpenAlexW4406902724
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited73

This study aims to examine context-specific post-migration stress factors and their differential impacts on the mental health of Syrian refugee women resettled in Houston, Texas, and urban communities in Jordan. A cross-sectional survey investigated sociodemographic and health-related conditions, psychological distress and coping (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), mental health-related symptomatology (Self-Report Questionnaire [SRQ]), conflict-related psychological distress (Afghan Symptom Checklist [ASC]), and post-migration stress (Refugee Post-Migration Stress Scale [RPMS]). Linear regression models examined factors associated with post-migration stress and mental health outcomes. A total of 127 Syrian refugee women participated in the study. Participants were in their mid-30s (mean age = 34.79 ± 11.2 years), married (66.9%), and reported low levels of education (44.8% below high school), low employment (27.2%), and elevated financial strain (91% below the poverty line). Jordan-based refugees exhibited higher scores on mental distress measures compared to their Houston-based counterparts; specifically more elevated psychological distress (p < 0.001), symptomatology (p < 0.001), and conflict-related distress (p < 0.001). Syrian refugee women in Houston reported higher social strain, while those in Jordan experienced greater financial hardship and barriers to accessing healthcare services. Mental distress among Syrian refugee women is influenced by specific post-migration stressors that vary by resettlement location. Targeted interventions are necessary to improve mental health outcomes in this population

Developmental psychology · Mental health · Mental stress · Political science · Psychiatry · Refugee · Stress (linguistics · Syrian refugees · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology

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