Exploring Syrian Refugees' Access to Medical and Social Support Services Using a Trauma-Informed Analytic Framework

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Refugees experience ongoing trauma post-migration.
• Resettlement stressors, asylum, and deportation threats worsen mental health.
• A trauma-informed framework guides this study's analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore medical and mental health service quality for male Syrian refugee migrant workers in Jordan.
• To assess services through the lens of safety, trust, and intersectionality.
• To understand the lived experiences of this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with 16 male Syrian refugee migrant workers.
• Focus on farm workers during the crop harvesting season in Jordan.
• Analysis guided by a trauma-informed framework.

Main Results:

• Refugee migrant workers experience marginalization, relying on employer goodwill for basic dignity.
• Their transient lifestyle hinders access to services in refugee camps.
• Participants perceive current work conditions as more dignified than camp life, valuing autonomy.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights significant gaps in medical and mental health support for Syrian refugee migrant workers.
• It underscores the importance of dignity, self-direction, and autonomy in refugee well-being.
• Findings suggest a need for accessible, trauma-informed services that respect the choices of refugees.