Immigrant Children in Turkey a Descriptive Study: Determining the Depression Levels of Children Who Have Been Exposed to Forced Migration

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the level of depression in children aged 6-17 years who had been subject to forced migration. Design and Method This study was a descriptive design. The sample included comprised 200 children aged 6-17 years who had experienced forced migration. Findings About 69.5% of the children who participated in the research migrated from Syria due to war. Participants' mean Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) score was 13.65 +/- 8.58; a CDI score of 19 and higher is considered to indicate depression. Conclusion It was found that the depression levels of the migrant children were low. Practice Implications Psychiatric nurses should understand risk factors for depression when providing care to immigrant children.