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16 – ISSUE – Psynopsis, Canada’s Psychology Magazine
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REFUGEE MENTAL HEALTH
Education, employment and mental health
outcomes for Syrian refugee newcomers
Jonathan Bridekirk, PhD candidate, York University, and
Michaela Hynie, PhD, Professor, York University
Canada relocated
and resettled over 56,000 Syrian refugees nationwide. Syrian
newcomers vary widely in terms of their socioeconomic (SES)
backgrounds, previous employment, qualifications, and educa-
tion. It is often assumed that those with higher levels of edu-
cation will find integration easier because they are better able
to learn English/French and are more likely to find employ-
ment. However, past research finds that mental health out-
comes for refugees are poorest for those with the highest pre-
migration socio-economic status. As part of a national longitu-
dinal study with Syrian refugees, the Syrian
Refugee Integration and Long-Term Health
Outcomes in Canada project (SyRIA.lth), we
are exploring this phenomenon to better
understand the gap between employment
expectations and outcomes among almost
2,000 Syrian refugees across Canada, and the
consequences it can have for newcomer men-
tal health.
Employment and poverty have been identi-
fied as key determinants of health and are
common challenges in refugee integration.5,6
Employment is essential for newcomers to
support their families, rebuild their lives in
Canada, and reestablish themselves as con-
tributing members of society. Because of the
role employment plays in one’s sense of self-
worth and social status, unemployment has been found to have
direct effects on mental health.4,7 Refugees who are actively
seeking employment, but are unable to attain employment, are
at greater risk for depression and social withdrawal. Over time
this could contribute to poorer mental and physical health.6
The issue is not just about finding employment, however,
but about finding appropriate employment.8As with other
newcomers, Syrian refugees may struggle to find employment
that commensurate with their skills, experiences, and qualifi-
cations, and this may be more challenging for those with high-
er qualifications. One longitudinal Canadian study found that
refugees with higher education and qualifications are more
likely to be over-qualified when and if they find employment.8
Moreover, those who perceived themselves to be more over-
qualified for their current jobs demonstrated the greatest
decline in mental health.7
Poorer mental health outcomes may be partially due to
greater inconsistencies between pre-migration expectations
and post-migration outcomes, compared to other migratory
groups.9Immigrants choose whether and when to migrate, and
can prepare for migration in terms of securing appropriate
education, training, accreditation and information, and, in
Canada, are often selected on the basis of their perceived fit
with economic opportunities in the country.5,6 Refugees are
forced to leave their country of origin with little choice or
preparation, have little choice over where they move to, and
often leave behind many of their economic resources.6As a
result, they are less likely to speak the language of the country
they migrate to, often cannot bring or provide evidence of
skills, training or accreditation, and may not
have the skills needed or appropriate for the
country they move to.2These circumstances
place refugees at a disadvantage when seeking
employment and at greater risk for poorer
mental health and well-being.4,9 However, most
research examining pre-migration SES, expec-
tations, and well-being among refugees has
been cross-sectional and has not followed
refugees over an extended period of time.8,10,11
With current Syrian integration initiatives in
Canada, there is more opportunity to explore
the relationships between past socioeconomic
status, education backgrounds, expectations,
and post-migration employment experiences.
Understanding how different resettlement con-
ditions predict successful pathways to integra-
tion for diverse newcomers can help us strengthen resettle-
ment support to assure their long-term well-being.9
For clinicians working with Syrian refugees, it is important
to consider the quality and experiences of post-migratory con-
ditions for individuals and their families.9,10 Although the man-
ner of refugees’ arrival in Canada leads us to have concerns
about premigration trauma, such as experiencing war and con-
flict, the impact of these pre-migratory stressors may be miti-
gated and decreased over time in the presence of favourable
post-migratory conditions.12 Thus, it has been recommended
that a multi-modal approach be used for refugee newcomers
with mental health concerns that combines therapy (i.e., pre-
migratory trauma) with assistance surrounding practical
issues regarding post-migratory experiences.9
Between November 4, 2015 and June 30, 2018,
For a complete list of references, visit www.cpa.ca/psynopsis