Social Determinants of Occupational Balance Among Syrian Refugees
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, cilt.79, sa.6, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 79 Sayı: 6
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.5014/ajot.2025.051248
- Dergi Adı: American Journal of Occupational Therapy
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, Psycinfo, DIALNET
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Importance: Occupational balance is vital for well-being, yet refugees face barriers to maintaining meaningful daily activities. Understanding the social determinants affecting Syrian refugees’ occupational balance is crucial for developing targeted interventions and policies. Objective: To examine the impact of social determinants such as gender, education level, ethnicity, and household size on the occupational balance of Syrian refugees in Turkey. Design: This cross-sectional study used a survey-based approach with a sociodemographic information form and the Turkish Occupational Balance Questionnaire–11 (OBQ11–T). Multiple linear regression modeling identified statistically significant predictors of occupational balance. Setting: The study was conducted in four Turkish cities with diverse socioeconomic characteristics. Participants: A total of 400 Syrian refugees participated. Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was occupational balance, assessed with the OBQ11–T. Results: The mean OBQ11–T score was 12.6 (SD = 3.43). Men had higher occupational balance than women (b = 0.869, p = .007). Education was a strong predictor, with illiteracy negatively affecting balance (b = -3.858, p < .001). Arab ethnicity was associated with lower scores (b = -1.282, p = .011), whereas Turkish or Turkoman ethnicity had a positive effect (b = 1.288, p = .013). Household size negatively affected balance (b = -0.624, p < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Social determinants substantially influence Syrian refugees’ occupational balance. Gender disparities, education, and ethnicity are key factors. Policies should prioritize education, social integration, and culturally responsive occupational therapy interventions. Future longitudinal research is needed to examine long-term effects. Plain-Language Summary: Refugees often struggle to find balance in their occupations because of challenges such as limited education and social isolation. This study looked at how different social factors, such as gender, education, ethnicity, and household size, affect the ability of Syrian refugees in Turkey to participate in meaningful occupations. The study found that men had better occupational balance than women, possibly because of cultural restrictions placed on women. Refugees with higher education levels had better balance, whereas those with little or no education struggled the most. Arab refugees had the most difficulty adjusting, whereas Turkish and Turkmen refugees experienced fewer challenges. Larger households were also linked to greater difficulty in maintaining daily routines. These findings highlight the need for education programs, social support, and culturally sensitive occupational therapy interventions to help refugees regain balance in their daily lives. Occupational therapists can use these insights to design better support programs for refugee communities.