Syrian Children’s Resilience and Families’ Social-Justice-Related Experiences: A Mixed-Methods Study

Year 2025, Volume: 22 Issue: 6, 1364 - 1379, 17.12.2025

Nilüfer Kuru

https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1809848

Abstract

Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, the research examined child and family’s justice related experiences that influence Syrian preschool children’s resilience. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 156 mothers using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Preschool Anxiety Scale to evaluate behavioral, emotional, and anxiety-related outcomes in their children. In the qualitative phase, ten mothers who had children with high and low difficulty scores were selected for semi-structured interviews to explore the impact of language, discrimination, economic hardship, community relations, and institutional support on children’s resilience. The quantitative findings showed strong associations between prosocial behavior and lower psychological distress. Qualitative analysis revealed that structural inequities, such as restricted mobility, discriminatory treatment in schools, and economic instability, often undermined children’s social integration. On the other hand, supportive teachers, inclusive neighborhoods, and cultural belonging acted as protective factors. Experiences of justice fostered engagement, confidence, and emotional stability, while experiences of injustice contributed to anxiety, withdrawal, and reduced participation in learning. These findings highlight the need for culturally responsive, multi-level interventions and policies that address structural barriers, foster inclusive environments, and recognize the cultural assets of refugee families to strengthen resilience in early childhood.

Keywords

forced migration , social justice , resilience , family experiences

Suriyeli Çocukların Psikolojik Sağlamlığı ve Sosyal Adaletle İlişkili Aile Deneyimleri: Karma Yöntem

Abstract

Bronfenbrenner’in ekolojik kuramına temellendirilen bu araştırma, Suriyeli okul öncesi çocukların iyi oluşunu etkileyen sosyal adaletle ilgili çocuk ve aile deneyimlerini incelemektedir. Araştırmanın nicel aşmasında, 156 anneden Güçler ve Güçlükler Anketi ile Okul Öncesi Anksiyete Ölçeği kullanılarak veri toplanmış; çocukların davranışsal, duygusal ve kaygı düzeyleri değerlendirilmiştir. Nitel aşamada ise, yüksek ve düşük zorluk puanlarına sahip çocukların annelerinden seçilen on kişiyle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu görüşmelerde dil, ayrımcılık, ekonomik sıkıntı, toplumsal ilişkiler ve kurumsal destek gibi etmenlerin çocukların dayanıklılığı üzerindeki etkisi incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın nicel bulguları, prososyal davranış ile düşük psikolojik sıkıntı arasında güçlü bir ilişki olduğunu göstermiştir. Nitel analizde, hareket özgürlüğünün kısıtlanması, okullarda ayrımcı tutumlar ve ekonomik istikrarsızlık gibi yapısal eşitsizliklerin çocukların toplumsal uyumunu zayıflattığı bulunmuştur. Buna karşın, destekleyici öğretmenler, kapsayıcı mahalleler ve kültürel aidiyet duygusu araştırmada koruyucu faktörler olarak öne çıkmıştır. Sosyal adaletle ilişkili deneyimler, çocuklarda katılım, özgüven ve duygusal dengelerini güçlendirirken; adaletsizlik deneyimleri kaygı, içe kapanma ve öğrenmeye katılımın azalmasına yol açmıştır. Bulgular, erken çocuklukta dayanıklılığı güçlendirmek için kültürel olarak duyarlı, çok düzeyli müdahaleler ve politikalar geliştirilmesi; yapısal engellerin kaldırılması, kapsayıcı ortamların teşvik edilmesi ve mülteci ailelerin kültürel değerlerinin tanınması gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

zorunlu göç , sosyal adalet , psikolojik sağlamlık , aile deneyimleri

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