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Father-separation and well-being in forcibly displaced Syrian children
H Eltanamly1, A May2,3, F McEwen3,4
1Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Attachment & Human Development
|October 4, 2024
Summary
Father separation in refugee children is linked to more depressive symptoms and poorer self-development. This highlights the unique impact of losing a father figure on child well-being during displacement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Refugee Studies
Background:
- Forcibly displaced children frequently experience parental separation, especially from fathers.
- Attachment is crucial for child well-being under stress, yet war-related separation impacts are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unique effects of father separation on the well-being of Syrian refugee children.
- To examine the relationship between father separation, war exposure, refugee environment, and child outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 1544 Syrian refugee children living with their mothers in Lebanon.
- Structural equation modeling analyzed data from father-separated and non-separated children.
Main Results:
- Father-separated children reported more war events and harsher refugee conditions.
- Father separation uniquely predicted increased depressive symptoms and worse self-development.
- No significant link was found between father separation and anxiety, PTSD, or externalizing behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Father separation has distinct negative impacts on refugee children's mental health and development.
- Maternal parenting showed a protective effect, but did not fully mediate the effects of father separation.
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