Evaluation of the Cultural Structure of Syrian Refugee Families According To the Place They Live

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted qualitatively to evaluate the cultural structures of Syrian asylum-seeking families according to their location.

Materials and Method: The population of the study consisted of Syrian asylum-seeking families in Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, and Diyarbakır provinces. Snowball and maximum diversity sampling were used to select the sample from the population. The study sample consisted of 60 Syrian asylum-seeking families who spoke Turkish or Kurdish. Data were collected between March and June 2015 using a semi-structured interview form and focus group interview method.

Results: 53.3% of the participants were female and the median age was 36.5 years. The average duration of their arrival from Syria is 1 year and almost all of them (98.3%) have a patriarchal family structure. The median number of children is 3 and 75 per cent do not speak Turkish. The participants stated that the "woman's task" is to be responsible for the management of the house (41.7%) and the "man's task" is to work and earn money (93.3%). The statements about the cultural characteristics of the family were categorised under the headings of family structure, economy, marriage status, education, nutrition, hygiene, health-illness, pregnancy, baby care, religious characteristics and death rituals and difficulties experienced.

Conclusion: It was determined that Syrian asylum-seekers live in an environment with many cultural differences with migration. It is recommended that health professionals should provide care by taking these cultural differences into consideration in health service delivery.