Mental health and family functioning among physically healthy Syrian refugees resettled in Ontario, Canada post 2015: A cross-sectional study

PLoS One. 2026 Aug 27;21(8):e0354919. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0354919. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Refugees are often exposed to traumatic experiences before, during, and after migration, placing them at increased risk of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between mental health and family functioning among Syrian refugees who resettled in Ontario, Canada, post-2015. The final sample included 398 parents residing in Ontario who reported good to excellent physical health. Validated tools, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Primary Care-posttraumatic stress disorder (PC-PTSD) scale for PTSD, were employed to assess PTSD, stress, anxiety, and depression. The General Functioning subscale of the McMaster Family Assessment Device was utilized to evaluate family functioning. The study indicated significant positive associations between poor family functioning and elevated levels of anxiety, stress, and PTSD, but no significant association with depression. In addition, lower socioeconomic status was linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Although gender differences were not statistically significant after adjustment, there was a trend toward fathers reporting poorer anxiety outcomes than mothers. The findings suggest that family functioning and socioeconomic factors are important factors associated with mental health outcomes among Syrian refugee parents. Future longitudinal research is needed to further examine these relationships and enhance understanding of the factors influencing mental health in refugee populations.

PMID:42658799 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0354919