Investigation of some variables of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), empathy and depression in syrian children

Abstract

Turkey has been facing with migration for various reasons. More than half of those migrating from Syria to Turkey are children. In this study, it was aimed to examine the levels of PTSD, empathy and depression in Syrian children. A total of 121 boys and 135 girls from Altındağ district of Ankara formed a sample group of 256 children. Personal Information Form, PTSD, Empathy and Depression Scale for Children were used in this study. The results revealed that there was no meaningful relation between the gender of the children and the levels of PTSD, empathy and depression. The younger children’s trauma level and depression level was higher as well as the children whose father is alive. The empathy level is also higher and children’s PTSD and empathy levels have changed according to their siblings are alive or not. The depression level of children whose mothers did not work was higher. Children whose fathers did not work had a higher level of PTSD, empathy and depression. Children with violence in the family had high levels of PTSD, empathy and depression, the empathy level of children with fewer siblings was lower, children whose income level was lower depression level was lower.