The Effectiveness of Mental Health Programs for Syrian Refugees in Turkey: A Regional Meta-Review of Interventions

M. Agung Rahmadi; Luthfiah Mawar; Zilva Husayri Zulvan; Nafiza Rizky Ramadhani Lubis; Maulidyah Azzahra; Helsa Nasution; Nurzahara Sihombing; Muhammad Wahyudi Berutu; Annisa Ardianti Br Tarigan

doi:10.55606/jig.v4i1.8402

Authors

M. Agung Rahmadi Universitas Alwasliyah Medan
Luthfiah Mawar Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Sehati Medan
Zilva Husayri Zulvan Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara
Nafiza Rizky Ramadhani Lubis Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara
Maulidyah Azzahra Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara
Helsa Nasution Universitas Alwasliyah Medan
Nurzahara Sihombing SD Negeri 107396 Paluh Merbau
Muhammad Wahyudi Berutu Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara
Annisa Ardianti Br Tarigan Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55606/jig.v4i1.8402

Keywords:

CBT, EMDR, Mental Health, Psychological Intervention, Syrian Refugees

Abstract

This meta-review evaluates the effectiveness of diverse mental health programs targeting Syrian refugees in Turkey over the period 2015-2023 through a systematic synthesis of 47 studies involving a total of 12,847 participants. Meta-regression results demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, with a large effect size (d = -0.86, 95% CI [-1.02, -0.70], p < .001), as well as a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (d = -0.72, 95% CI [-0.88, -0.56], p < .001) following intervention. Among the therapeutic approaches examined, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy exhibited the strongest therapeutic effect (β = 0.45, p < .001), followed by Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (β = 0.38, p < .001). Further moderator analysis revealed that group-based interventions were more effective than individual approaches (OR = 1.86, 95% CI [1.42, 2.30]). At the same time, program duration of 12-16 weeks showed a strong correlation with optimal clinical outcomes (r = 0.67, p < .001). These findings extend the results of Acarturk et al. (2022) regarding the effectiveness of CBT and reinforce the argument advanced by Shehadeh et al. (2016) concerning the superiority of group-based approaches, while also indicating a longer optimal intervention duration than previously reported. In contrast to the meta-analysis by Antuña-Camblor & Hernández (2025), which emphasized EMDR, this study identifies CBT as superior to EMDR among Syrian refugees in Turkey. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of program moderator factors and the identification of the most effective intervention duration parameters for the target population.

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