Predictors of well-being among Syrian women in northern and southern Türkiye

Abstract

The growing crisis of forced displacement calls for attention to refugee well-being globally. This study examined distress among 123 young-adult Syrian women (ages 18–30 years) residing in five cities across Türkiye (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, and Gaziantep). Utilizing a social-ecological framework, the study examines risk and protective factors associated with distress as well as differing risk contexts in northern and southern cities. Emotional distress was experienced by 91% of the sample, with rates significantly higher in southern cities. Mixture modelling results indicated social support was associated with increased well-being across locations. Discrimination and living difficulties were more common in southern cities and associated with distress only in southern cities. Isolation was associated with increased distress only in northern cities. Attention to regional stressors and resources points to a need for responsive policy solutions and tailored social service programming to support refugee well-being. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.