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The important role of mothers during displacement: Direct and indirect effects of the refugee context on Syrian refugee children's mental health |
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| Authors: | Cassandra M Popham Fiona S McEwen Elie Karam Michael Pluess |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK;2. Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
Department of War Studies, King's College London, London, UK;3. Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care, Beirut, Lebanon Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon St Georges University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon |
| Abstract: | Refugee children are at increased risk for mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress, depression, and externalizing problems. The refugee environment, maternal mental health, and parenting may reduce or exacerbate that risk. This study investigated their direct and indirect associations with child mental health cross-sectionally in a sample of Syrian refugee child–mother dyads in Lebanon in 2017–19. Mediating pathways were tested using structural equation modeling with 1446 dyads (child: Mage = 11.39, 52.1% females) and again 1 year later with 872 (child: Mage = 12.17, 53.1% females) of the original sample. Mediating pathways from the refugee environment through maternal mental health and parenting to child outcomes were detected, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to refugee mental health. |
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