What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to identify psychological difficulties linked to refugee status and trauma in adolescents.

May 28, 2026Open Access

Psychological difficulties in refugee adolescents with war-related experiences and forced displacement: a community-based comparison with non-refugee peers

Key Points

This study aims to identify psychological difficulties linked to refugee status and trauma in adolescents.
Included 92 refugee adolescents aged 12-18 from Turkey due to the Syrian war and 120 matched controls without refugee experience.
Participants completed various psychological scales including the DERS, A-DES, CSI-24, and RSES.
Sociodemographic data were collected for analysis.
Refugee adolescents exhibited significantly higher DERS scores (103.98 ± 15.47 vs. 91.09 ± 23.74, p < 0.001).
Higher dissociation scores in refugees (A-DES: 4.27 ± 1.62 vs. 2.93 ± 1.98, p < 0.001) and somatization scores (CSI-24: 21.20 ± 11.86 vs. 14.95 ± 9.14, p < 0.001).
Lower self-esteem was observed in refugees indicated by RSES scores (3.93 ± 1.25 vs. 1.93 ± 1.60, p < 0.001).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The number of refugee and immigrant children and adolescents is rapidly increasing worldwide. Early identification of psychological risk factors is essential, as childhood mental health significantly influences outcomes in adulthood. This study examined psychological difficulties associated with refugee status, war-related experiences, and forced displacement in refugee adolescents, with a particular focus on emotion regulation, dissociation, somatization, and self-esteem. METHODS: Ninety-two adolescents (12-18 years) who migrated to Turkey due to the Syrian war were included in the study. A control group of 120 age- and gender-matched adolescents without refugee experience was also recruited. Sociodemographic information was collected, and participants completed the Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI-24), Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). RESULTS: Refugee adolescents had significantly higher total DERS scores than controls (103.98 ± 15.47 vs. 91.09 ± 23.74, p < 0.001), as well as higher dissociation (A-DES: 4.27 ± 1.62 vs. 2.93 ± 1.98, p < 0.001), somatization (CSI-24: 21.20 ± 11.86 vs. 14.95 ± 9.14, p < 0.001), and higher RSES scores indicating lower self-esteem (3.93 ± 1.25 vs. 1.93 ± 1.60, p < 0.001). All DERS subscales were significantly higher in refugees except the goals subscale, which was higher in controls. In adjusted linear regression analyses controlling for age, gender, parental separation, parental loss, and school non-attendance, refugee status remained independently associated with higher DERS, A-DES, CSI-24, and RSES scores (all p < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were observed among emotion dysregulation, dissociation, somatization, and lower self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight a broad pattern of psychological difficulties in refugee adolescents and support the importance of trauma-informed assessment and mental health support in this population.

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